Three weeks after I wrote “Legacy of Love”, my father-in-law went to be with the Lord and my mother-in-law who had gone on before him.  I pray that his story will inspire and warm your heart.

I Corinthians 13:  “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong.” (NIV)

The other day while visiting Dad at the Veterans Home, we began to talk about what it was like for him to grow up with his family, especially around the holidays. His reply was just simply, “Well, we did not have much.  Although my family had a lot of meager times, they made the best of it.” Then smiling broadly, he added that he “always enjoyed sleigh riding with is wooden sled.”

At this season of Dad’s life, he fondly reminisces about his past relationship with Mom–reading her letters as though he just received them–his children, and grandchildren. His memories are not always as vivid and clear as they used to be, and he often gets key events out of order.  However, the greatest memory he shared was how much he loved everyone. He still does, but he doesn’t always know how to express that love. He often refers to love as “the greatest gift” as stated in I Corinthians 13:13: “So these threre things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.”

Mom and Dad expressed a great deal of love to those in need.  Throughout the years, they shared their table with many guests and their home with a number of individuals who needed to stay for a while. They often did not have much, but what they had they “made the best of it.”

During the month of October, we are inspired as we look at the grandeur of color on all the fall foliage, and we begin to ponder all of the many blessings that God has bestowed upon each and everyone of us. In November as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we truly will be able to “count our blessings and name them one by one.” Whether we have a little or much, we all have something to be thankful for.

However, it is in giving that the Lord truly blesses us.

Dad went on to say that he was going to send a special gift (monetary) and blessing to each of his sons, daughter, and grandchildren for Christmas (2011) because he was not able to do this any other time in his life.  He ended by saying, “May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may His love shine in your hearts and lives during the Holiday Season.”

I want to end this writing by saying that along our life’s journey God does the unexpected many times and surprises us with a “special gift” or blessing  just at the time we need it. May He continue to fill your heart and soul with His love.

Until next time…