Today my step sisters and I celebrate our dad’s 83rd birthday. To make a wonderful story short, my true dad passed away when I was 17 years old. Norman Davis, who raised two daughters, had no son. We meet at Cascade UMC in Atlanta many years ago and grow close through the United Methodist Men’s ministry and dad’s activity with the Veteran’s Ministry. As his last name “Davis” is my mother’s maiden name, we just decided to adopt each other. The bond we share is as pure as any father and son could share.
Now on this special day we could host an open house with great food and fellowship. There in the living room, family and friends could take up piano, guitar, saxophone and bass to play and sing all afternoon. A big cake could be prepared with this written on it in frosting: “Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord; Psalm 112:1. Happy 83rd birthday Dad.” But knowing our dad, just some quality together to talk, care and share over scripture would suffice quite nicely.
However, lets you and I examined Psalm 112 just a little. You will be impressed with how it seems to describes so many our elders. Those who is spirit have walked with God. Our Dad has had his own share of heartaches and faults, but his steadfast faith resulted in many blessings. This psalm tells us blessings will fall on the person who has a reverential fear of God and who delights in God’s commands. In response to this growing integrity and faith, God will extend blessing not only to the believer but also to his children.
This beautiful psalm encourages and challenges us to reflect an our inner soul for God and to make continual decisions to joyfully follow the commands of our Lord. When we do that, then as we look back on our years, no matter how many or how few, we will know that God has helped us live a life of honor.
Truly, we see how a healthy reverence of God can produce a life of grace and honor with all whom we encounter. Share when have you looked to God knowing the Lord’s way was better than yours. Leave a comment, your share will bless another. Plus, I will write you back.
See you next Sunday.
MJ