Thank you all for coming today to remember my dad. He was such an interesting guy; it is hard to decide where to begin, so much to say.
There were pieces of scripture bubbling to mind as I prepared a message to honor my dad. I settled on a few words that I would like to begin with.
A word from the Lord.
This first reading comes from the book of Job 12:7-10.
“Knowledge of God’s wisdom
But now, ask the animals and they will teach you; or the birds of the sky and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth and it will teach you, or let the fish of the sea declare to you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all the human race.”
Breath of all human race A breath a moment
The Lord grants each of us a moment of time on this earth.
My dad was very aware of the moments he had left as he spent his last months, weeks, and
days. One of my favorite ways of my dad was the way he was always wanting to teach us
something, but really teach us something about life.
The idea of wisdom is something that comes with patiently observing, being slow to act and
slow to speak. Who has not heard the saying, “Think before you speak?” You’ve been given 2
ears and 1 mouth. That is valuable knowledge; to be aware of the designs of the Creator.
He would take us out on clear nights to observe the stars. He taught us to find the North Star
and the big and little dipper. There is only one way North; a light to lead you where you need to
go.
He taught us life can sometimes be complicated. When we were still living out in the country, he had to put down a dog who had been stealing the neighbor’s chickens. We begged and begged him not to do it. But he sat us down with no nonsense and told us once a dog starts eating chickens it won’t know any better to stop. He had a responsibility to his neighbor. He made us wait inside while he took the dog. He cried with us afterward and told us we would see him again when we got to Heaven.
Life is complicated but it is also full of Hope.
We have hope as an anchor for the soul. (Hebrews 6:19)
I know that’s a hard story for people today. The world wants to sugar coat the truth. But I am so grateful my father knew about the wisdom of God. Life is complex and sometimes heart breaking.
He would teach us the names of the birds, Hawk, Quail, Crow, Robin, Hummingbird, and the majestic Scissortail Flycatcher. I didn’t know how rare and special the state bird of Oklahoma was until I moved all over the country. I missed the curious flying pattern when the spring brings the migration. Each bird has its purpose. Each thing God made has a place and witness to the author of life.
As we grew in age, we also grew in our wanting to be like dad. He would go on these adventures called deer hunts. We knew that he lit up when he talked about spending nights camping and hunting deer. We would ask, “Can we go?” So, eventually dad would agree. He would say, “We’re going on a deer hunt, but first I have to teach you to walk soft and quiet.” He
would take us on “hunts” out at Grandma Randall’s where we were suppose to be so quiet with our walking we wouldn’t scare the deer.
Soon enough we were. The next weekend would come and he would offer, “You girls want to go on a deer hunt?” Of course we would say yes! So the next lesson was to follow signs or as I know now, PAY ATTENTION. Dad would speed up his pace and we would still be trying to soft walk and fall behind to where we couldn’t see him. Eventually becoming frightened and I can still see the three of us crying together because we thought we were lost. He quickly reappeared, reassuring us he was always right there. Even when we couldn’t see him.
Dad knew it would take time to train us in all the skills needed, not only to hunt but to camp. So after our tracking skills advanced we had to learn about camping basics. How to stake a tent and how to dig a trench and how to use the bathroom in the woods. Leaves of three let them be. How to chop firewood. How to keep a fire going in the rain. So many weekends to learn but to laugh and enjoy each other.
I think the three of us knew it was getting close to actually hunting when dad signed us up for gun safety school in a summer. He and Uncle Clifford had taken us out on the land to learn to shoot. To be calm and breath. To never point a gun at a person. But the thrill of being at the top of the class when we finished was something I know my dad was proud of. We were serious. We also knew it was a serious responsibility to handle a weapon. No nonsense.
Now, I think we knew deer hunting was about getting deer meat. But the fact of killing Bambi was eventually a bit much for any of us to actually pursue. Yet, we offered to go along on the hunts just as well. Because after all, we did know how to keep camp and to fish and to chop wood and we could be an awful lot of help.
Let me tell you the stories of deer hunting and actually camping are two totally different things. Which I know, I’m speaking to the choir in this room. But it meant a lot to us girls that Dad included us on his adventures to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. To see the world sparkle when the winter ice storm froze us up in the mountain. To listen to the bubbling creek while the crow scare the deer away. To jam with Uncle Marc while he played guitar. To drink hot chocolate on a foggy morning.
Much like the difference in hearing the word of the Lord is one experience. So is the vital importance we each take our precious time on this planet to do good to our neighbors, to share with those who need, help to encourage the broken hearted. I encourage each of you to not just be idle with your breath but to be a part of the bigger story of hope, love and peace. Dad had a way of always creating days of things to look forward to. He was patient with us. With three girls there were always lots of questions to answer
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“Dad what is delicious jerky made of?” “Bambi.” “Deer? What?!”
“Dad if God made us, then who made God?” “Well, when you get to Heaven you can find out.”
The Lord’s deeds are great, eagerly awaited by all who desire them. Psalm 111:2
Let me continue with a verse from Jerimiah 6:16 The Lord said to His people, “You are standing at the crossroads, so consider your path, ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it and find rest for your souls.”
Rest for your souls
This summer Brandy and I were able to take dad on a lot of road trips. Because he wasn’t able to walk much, we basically drove route 66 from Vinita to Elk City. Boy, it was fun to hear about
the different places Dad had lived as a boy. We also drove from Stillwater to Idabel and everywhere in-between.
We came across a family diary and Reading Grandma Randall’s family journal, how cool to see the story of the land run. (The amount of dead horses was shocking!) How fun to hear of our own Christian heritage. One woman would walk to church if she didn’t have a ride. This was a difference Dad and I had-I never understood why he wouldn’t come to church with us. I asked him one day, “Wouldn’t he like to go?” He told me he felt closer to God when he was out in the woods than on a pew bench. And I never questioned or asked him again. We could both take our own path with Jesus.
The older I get the more I understand the solitude one needs to spend with the Lord. I love how Jesus repeatedly would go off to the mountain to pray and would find a place, Alone. Perhaps you have to come to a place in your own faith journey where you need to reflect and look to the birds. Are you in the crossroads of life and need a light to guide you in a dark season? May I encourage you to be present with the breath God has given you? May I boldly encourage you to sit on a hillside and know that God is near.
In the last weeks, Dad was enjoying fudgecicles and koolaid.
Watching John Wayne movies and football.
Spoiling that ol Oden.
He was so proud of his grandkids.
I’ld always ask him, “Is there anything else I can get you dad?” One night he said, “Just more time.”
Jesus reminds us to look at the birds in the sky. They do not sow or reap or gather into barns. Yet your heavenly father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? The scripture tells us in Heaven, God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.
I know dad is with the Lord, fully restored, no longer suffering.
May the peace of Christ comfort your hearts. May the beautiful world remind you to seek God
in each breath.
