Happy 100th Birthday Dad!

Today would have been my dad's 100th birthday.  I love that Jesus reminded me about this several days before it actually came.  This picture is obviously me and dad on my wedding day (which, by the way is almost 40 years ago!!!) I have loved thinking about dad and remembering things that are often forgotten.  The last thing that has been on my mind is how amazingly musical my dad was.  I am sure that many people who knew my dad never knew this about him.  In the later years of his life it wasn't very apparent.  But the truth is, he loved music and he was GOOD at all music.  My mom told me that in the early years of their marriage, my dad was the "go to" soloist for daytime funerals.  It seems that all the old folks in the church wanted him to sing at their funerals!  I have heard so many stories about my dad and mom singing during long car rides up to Lake Maud.  I, however, can't ever remember hearing my dad sing in the car.  Apparently my dad loved to sing with my oldest sister Karen, who also had an amazing voice. By the time I came along, Karen had already moved away from home.  (I remember my mom saying right after Karen died, that she was sure that dad and Karen were harmonizing up in heaven!)  Since I did NOT inherit that singing talent, dad never sang with me.  However, some of my best memories are of special family get togethers at one of my cousin's house, when we lived in St. Paul.  My cousin put on some of the most amazing dinners in the most humble surroundings.  I remember one particular holiday get together when there must have been at least 75 of us in this rather small house in Minneapolis.  There was an old upright piano and my dad sat down and started to play and sing.  Soon several of my cousins joined in on accordions and other instruments.  My dad could ROCK that piano.  I also saw my dad pick up a trumpet and a trombone and just play.  And he loved hymns.  His favorite hymn was "How Great Thou Art". 

 

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.
When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur
And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

And when I think, that God, His Son not sparing;
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the Cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation,
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart.
Then I shall bow, in humble adoration,
And then proclaim: "My God, how great Thou art!"

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

 

I remember being introduced to this hymn in Sunday School when I was in about second grade.  They had a "big book" with the words and really amazing pictures that we used during our opening service.  I begged to borrow that big book and took it home one week.  My dad loved it. 

 

As I said, I did not get that wonderful singing voice and I did not inherit the ability to play instruments.  But once again, I love seeing how much my kids are expressing these wonderful seeds of our generations.  Both Gwen and Doug sing and play various instruments.  I am humbled and really in awe of their abilities. Gwen sang and played flute and piano throughout high school and college. Whenever Gwen and I went to church with my mom she would always sit next to Gwen.  She said she loved hearing her sing!  My mom listened to Doug play jazz on saxophone and then go to his room and play drums.  She would say he was certainly like his grandpa!  And I am seeing that love of music in my grandchildren. 

 

Sadly, my dad and I never had a chance to really talk about Jesus or faith at all.  It is something that I regret.  But the fact that he loved that hymn so much, brings me great comfort. The words of that hymn are the story of the Bible.  Yahweh, the creator, Jesus the savior, and the Holy Spirit that brings a song to our souls.  I am convinced that my dad was following the path that Yahweh had for him. And I believe that he is, indeed, singing in heaven with my sister Karen.    

 

So, in honor of my dad's 100th birthday, I challange you all to talk to those around you about Jesus.  Have those hard conversations with people that you love.  Make sure that you take the time to listen and hear their stories.  Most of all, be willing to share your own story.  We have forgotten how valuable our testimony is!  Be a transmitter today, for me and my dad! 

 

Yahweh, thank you for my dad.  Jesus bless all those who hear that wonderful song "How Great Thou Art" and use that song to bring many to know your story.  Yahweh, you are great!   Amen