My Father’s Day Tribute

Ever since my dad’s death in 2009, Father’s Day has been bittersweet. My dad was such a character. He did everything 110% and we all miss him so much. We don’t get to have omelets and coffee with him on Father’s Day now or give him yet another Elvis mug. But we do get to remember the way he loved us and worked hard to take care of us. I’ve also been thinking a lot recently about his favorite Scripture, Hebrews 12:3-4:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

My family decided to put part of this passage on my dad’s headstone, and I think these words have become important to all of us. I’m not sure I entirely understand them. Who exactly is in the great cloud of witnesses? The chapter before mentions biblical heroes who lived and died believing in God’s promises, even those they never saw fulfilled on earth. Is the cloud everyone in heaven or do we each have our own unique cloud of people?

I’m not sure, but sometimes during difficult days I like to picture my “cloud”. My dad is there, and he’s standing next to my grandparents and my great-aunts and uncles. My friend Jill, who died of cancer last year, is there too. Hebrews says we are surrounded by witnesses. I don’t know exactly what they’re doing, but since the passage is about a race—a race I’m still running, but they have finished—I like to picture them standing on the sidelines, rooting for me and praying that I’ll follow God all the way, especially when I’m really struggling.

Author Betsy Corning says there is a choice in every situation that pleases God. And I do want to please God. But sometimes I’m tired and it seems too hard. There is always an easy path available. Sometimes it seems like a little compromise won’t matter. But when my dad’s favorite verses come to my mind, I find myself thinking of my “cloud” and remembering that I’m not alone no matter how I feel. Then I remember that God is for me, not against me, even when He’s allowing or appointing hardships for me to face.

The Bible says our lives are like the mist that quickly evaporates. Soon I’ll be in heaven too, and I wonder what I’ll regret. Missionary George Mueller said he wanted to “walk the path of full obedience” and I want that too. I want to spend my whole life, to pour out every little bit of it, for God.

There is no end to the power of the Bible. Two little verses from Hebrews can take me from self-pity and exhaustion to overwhelming gratitude for Jesus, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him, a joy that includes me, my dad, and the entire family of His believers.