[ORIGINALLY WRITTEN NOVEMBER 4, 2009]
I
have always enjoyed listening to conversations on any eternally significant
topic, especially when Daddy was around. He rarely failed to voice his
strong-held opinions and beliefs. His faith, courage, and unwavering stand for
truth amazed me at times. How I miss hearing his
culture-challenging ideas!
Sometimes
I thought Daddy could have spoken with more tact, or less forcefully, but as I
witnessed the crowds at his wake and funeral, met many friends I did not know
he had, and listened to their numerous testimonies, a recurrent theme greatly
surprised me: they actually appreciated the fact that Daddy said exactly what
he thought and believed, even when they may have disagreed with him.
Lately
I have felt compelled to speak those things that Daddy would have said, to
share our family’s convictions, unafraid of opposition and unashamed of my
beliefs. Daddy may not be here to voice his position, but he has a daughter,
and I must speak for him. My boldness lately has surprised me.
I then thought of the boldness that was birthed in the disciples after Jesus’ death. Their almost-overnight transformation is incredible when you consider their fearfulness during the life and death of their Master and then compare it to their words and actions afterwards.
I then thought of the boldness that was birthed in the disciples after Jesus’ death. Their almost-overnight transformation is incredible when you consider their fearfulness during the life and death of their Master and then compare it to their words and actions afterwards.
As I pondered these things, I had a revelation. Yes, I may try to speak for Daddy, to continue fighting his battles, and to finish the work that he began, but I also have a Heavenly Father. So do you! When you are engaged in conversation, are you careful to speak His words? He is not here to speak for Himself. Are you a faithful representative of who He is? Are you diligently employed in His work? Do you have the audacity to say in the face of opposition, like Peter and John, “We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard”?“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus… And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:13-20).
