Abiding Love

I remember that fall day 32 years ago, when I said goodbye to my parents, in preparation to return home, six hours away. As I looked into Dad’s face, I didn’t see the strength that I used to see, I saw weakness and a peace. An unbidden thought flashed through my mind, “Is this the last time I see my Daddy?” I shook off the horrifying thought. No, surely that could not be. Dad’s love was an abiding presence for me. His presence in my heart would go on forever and be my strength through life.

It wasn’t long after that, in Spring, the reality of his death became definite. No more would I know his hearty laugh, no more would he hug Mom in a way that gave me such assurance, no more could I ask Dad for advice – for Dad was no longer on this earth.

Sitting on the back porch steps with my nephew, Matthew, watching the sun set in the west, was a comfort. Matthew looked at me and in his innocent youth-wisdom said, “I know where Grandpa is.” I asked where, and Matthew answered, “He is safe in God’s pocket.”

Safe in God’s pocket. That simple answer gave me comfort then and continues to bring comfort. It spoke of an abiding love and faith that my Dad had in God. Dad is enjoying that abiding love and faith – forever.

Dad was a born teacher and with a story or two, he held many audiences spellbound. Though he taught school for a while, his favorite material to teach continued to be Bible Stories. Did my Grandpa Siemens have that same gift? Did Dad remember how his Dad carried the Bible and paced back and forth behind the barn, practicing preaching?

What we are, we teach. Dad taught me many lessons, and his last lesson was his smile as he drew his last breath. Dad had an abiding faith and he loved Jesus. Dad gave his three children a legacy of practicing the presence of God every day. I can still see him striding through his garden praising God for the bounty.

As we children grew older, we separated geographically and distance was measured in hours. It didn’t matter, because we knew there was an abiding love waiting for us at home. It was a treasure in our hearts that endured as we entered in adult life and gave us strength.

Recently I found this quote-question from a young soldier in Romania who was ordered to confiscate Bibles and imprison the missionaries. “Why are Bibles considered a more lethal weapon than guns?” Why, indeed? Is it because a Bible cannot be destroyed and its words will not come back void?

Hebrews 4:12 – For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In contemplating what abiding love is, I remember Hebrews 11:1 – Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

I no longer see my Dad and Mom with earthly sight, but I see them with a spiritual sight of faith. And each day is brightened, as I practice the legacy of abiding faith and love. My prayer is that the legacy I leave points the way to God’s abiding love that transcends time and space.

Abiding in Jesus, I’m kept in His Love

Not just for now, but forever

Abiding in Him, not for a day,

But enduring for life naught can sever.

Each day I confess

The Name I hold so dear

For I abide in Jesus

And I know He is near

Abiding in Jesus leads to life

He promised a helper to stay

And His words live in me

As I walk in His way each day.

Psalm 61:7 – He shall abide before God forever. Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!

John 14:16 – And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever.

John 15:7 – If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. vs 9 – “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.

I John 4:12-15 – No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.