But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 KJV

Life is hard. And often discouraging. Even Jesus said, “In the world ye shall have tribulation.” I could talk about how unkind, mean, and even downright evil some people are. I could talk about how one bad thing after another seems to happen. How sinful the world is. About how devasting sickness and disease can be. I could dwell on a multitude of reasons why life is hard and how sometimes it feels like even God doesn’t care anymore. Just like Jesus must have felt when He said, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46)

But to dwell on just the “tribulation,” means we have missed the rest of Jesus’ words. The whole verse is:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  John 16:33 KJV

And remember that after Jesus cried out to God, asking why He had forsaken Him, He then said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He willingly faced the tribulation so that He could complete the plan of salvation.

Do you get it?

Instead of focusing on the bad, instead of reading just one part of a verse, look at the bigger truth. Yes, we live in a sinful world. And it’s hard. But God sent His Son to die for our sins and then raised Him from the dead. Jesus has victory over sin, death, hell and the grave! Then, when we receive Christ as our Savior, the Holy Spirit dwells within us to empower us to live for Christ. We have the Spirit of God and the Words of God, the Bible, to teach us all truth of how to live in this fallen world.

When I stop and really think about what Christ did just for me, I’m humbled. He was persecuted and mocked. Beaten and scorned. He endured more than I can really imagine so that I could be saved. And God has blessed me in so many more ways. I could list blessing after blessing. He has also had to lovingly convict and correct me at times. But this verse sums it up:

And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. John 21:25 KJV

If God never does another thing for me, He did more than I deserved. If He never blesses me with another blessing, I will still love Him simply for who He is and what He has already done. I can enjoy His presence and fellowship now, without expecting Him to do another thing. He is my Abba, Father, and I love Him.

All of that was the introduction to tell you about my Dad and his journey.

My Dad has also endured much. His suffering and tribulation has been heavy. It’s been more than five long years now that he has been on this journey. In his weakened humanity, he feels useless, even sometimes forsaken, because of not being able to do the things he once did.

But let me tell a little bit about what he has done.

I remember Dad meeting me one day as I got off the school bus, draping his arm around my shoulder, as we walked to the house. I felt proud and loved that he would do that in front of all the kids watching from the bus driving away. I remember riding in the back of his pickup truck on summer days. I remember going on walks through the woods as he taught me what different trees looked like. I remember Dad teaching me how to ride a go-cart, a mini-bike, a motorcycle and eventually, a car. I remember spankings, but mostly the talking-to before the spankings, and hurting more for knowing I had disappointed him than from the physical punishment.

I remember him pulling me out of the water as I was sinking, saving my life.

I remember how both he and Mom worked hard to provide for me and my brother. I remember him walking me down the aisle when I was married. I remember him bringing a new rocking chair into my house when I had my first baby. I remember him doing the plumbing on our remodeled home. And I could go on and on, but page and time could not hold all that he has already done.

What I really cherish is the many conversations we have had through the years. All the spiritual conversations and truths he shared. The silly jokes and funny stories. The tales of his own childhood. And, oh, his great wisdom.

So, Dad, it’s not about what you can no longer do. It’s for all the things you have already done. It’s the time together and conversations we can still have that makes you so special. It’s simply because of who you are. You are my Daddy and I love you!