Remembering My Father

Today is my father's birthday. He passed away 4 years ago. I can't remember him sitting down and reading the Bible to me but I remember him living out the words. I remember one time in particular. When I was in the 10th grade the rule at school was you had to wear your shirt tail tucked in. Well the school made a decision about something (don’t even remember what) that the students didn’t like so a bunch of us guy got together and “un-tucked” our shirts in protest for that day at school. It was a small town, word got around, and Daddy got a call from the principle. That night when we got home he and I had a talk and I was to be grounded for the next week. “But Daddy” I said. “Friday night is an important basketball game and I really wanted to go.” (There wasn’t much else to do in a small town.) As he thought about this he said. “Do you remember what the sermon was last Sunday? God doesn’t give us what we deserve but because of His love for us He forgives us and blesses us.” He then lived out the word. He forgave my transgression, dropped my punishment and blessed me with the cost of the ticket to the basketball game. Why would I remember something that small for so many years? Because he planted God's Word in my life by living it. I believe that’s how we make it grow in our lives and the lives of those around us.
As we read through the Bible this coming year, let's plan to live what we learn.