What an Excellent Day!
By Amber
@AmbiePam (88835)
United States
June 9, 2024 3:27pm CST
It was nice to hear my sister and brother-in-law sing today at church. They were there because today marks my dad’s 50th year since answering the call to preach and pastor. He didn’t even tell most of the people in our church because he’s not big on drawing attention to himself, but he knew if he had a special occasion his neighbors and some of his friends who don’t have a church home would come. Two employees from his local Sam’s Club even came! Anyway, he asked my sister and her husband to come down this Sunday to sing a few songs (they both toured in college as they belonged to their school’s traveling singing group). I love to hear them sing.
We also had a baptism this morning, which was a blessing. Even the weather was gorgeous. What was really cool is that a lady who was at the church the night my dad answered God’s call to preach 50 years ago, was there today. He talked about what a blessing she and her family had been to him. He talked of the neighbors he’d invited who had mowed his lawn for five of the years my mom had been sick, who blessed him when he was dying inside. He talked of his friend who called him every day just to tell him how he and his wife loved and supported him and his wife when health challenges arose. He talked about how God calls all of us to do something; no one is insignificant. He first calls us to Him.
I know a lot of you don’t believe in God, but I hope you each know how much you matter. I’m grateful for parents who have a servant’s heart, and I’m grateful for all of you.
If you’re still reading this, I’d love to hear about your day.
*Picture is of my sister and her husband singing this morning.
20 people like this
19 responses
@Juliaacv (50051)
• Canada
9 Jun
I almost cried just reading this.
He must be so devoted to his parish community when you describe how much love and support he received towards the end of your Mom's time here on earth.
My Gramma used to always tell me that bread cast on the water always is returned, and your Dad has witnessed his kind acts returned to him. That reassures me that our world still has many good people in it.
5 people like this
@snowy22315 (176745)
• United States
9 Jun
That must have been exciting and fun. I believe in God, but I don't think he controls everything that happens in the world..some things for better or worse just happen.
5 people like this
@1creekgirl (41067)
• United States
9 Jun
Ultimately God will be in control, but He gave this world over to mankind with the free will He granted. As humans, we really express the evil in this world. But one day He will return to punish all who rejected the forgiveness He offered.
2 people like this
@much2say (54804)
• Los Angeles, California
10 Jun
What a wonderful day for your father and for all who were able to attend. How lovely your sister and her husband sang too! We spent a family day just being out and about together . . . the kids are not so little anymore, so we gotta fit in those adventures while we can
.
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1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (77609)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jun
How wonderful that they sang at church, My day whizzed by with writing, I hope you have a good start to the new week,
1 person likes this
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@RasmaSandra (77609)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
9 Jun
@AmbiePam it is my inheritance from my dad who was a popular Latvian writer and poet and his job in NYC was as editor to a Latvian newspaper,
1 person likes this
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@xFiacre (12767)
• Ireland
9 Jun
@ambiepam Today it was Children's Day in the Church I now go to, which I didn't particularly enjoy. I've only been attending since I retired from my own Church in January and they are really lovely people, but I haven'treally made any friends there yet - early days. I do hope your dad enjoyed his time in Church today.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (88835)
• United States
9 Jun
Bless your heart. There are some children one wonders how they don’t try the patience of Jesus.
Does your church have any groups for you to join? To be honest, if my dad wasn’t a pastor, it would be like pulling teeth to get me to interact. I was always so shy, and for most of my adult life I have felt awkward around other people, even at church.
I hope someone sees what an asset you are as a friend and reaches out. They have no idea what they are missing. No idea at all.
My dad enjoyed seeing the people from Sam’s Club (a wholesale retailer) and his neighbors more than anything today. He’s always critical of His own preaching, but boy was he happy to see those people at church.
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@kaylachan (65344)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
10 Jun
You replied about my day, but I'm glad that you had a good one, too.
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
9 Jun
I am enjoying my day working at home sharing news stories as well as completing surveys today under a partly sunny day..
1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
10 Jun
@AmbiePam Thank you for the kind words.
1 person likes this
@LindaOHio (170715)
• United States
9 Jun
What a lovely day for your father. Great photo. Weekends are always super quiet with my husband gone. Have a good new week.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (88835)
• United States
9 Jun
Sin. When sin entered the world, everything changed. When we get to Heaven there will be no more suffering, and we will finally understand. I’ll never pretend I have the brain capacity to understand what He allows (but never causes). That’s where faith steps in.
1 person likes this
@RevivedWarrior (1115)
• India
10 Jun
Well, that seems great! Hope you all had a wonderful time. Bless you all!
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (159754)
• United States
10 Jun
Because of a headache I had to really fight to go to church today. I wanted to stay home.Also, somehow we had a "mix up" about the selected hymns. I believe I may have selected two sets for this week. I struggled so much with the headaches. Anyway, the set we used was the set God wanted used. The first hymn actually fit in precisely with a video our worship leader had selected! Pastor talked a minute about how she sends me scriptures and titles for worship, and I pick the hymns and God makes them work.
@GardenGerty (159754)
• United States
10 Jun
Love seeing Mindy up there and love the wonderful service today.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (88835)
• United States
10 Jun
@GardenGerty That’s so cool, Heather!
I sure hope those headaches go away though. ![](/Content/images/emotes/hugs.gif)
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@allknowing (132209)
• India
10 Jun
I believe in God but not much of a church goer I believe that God sends us challenges and expects us to seek his help to meet them
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (41067)
• United States
9 Jun
I am so happy this was such an amazing service. I know your sister and brother in law sang beautifully. I almost cried when you wrote that the lady was there who was there 50 years ago.
If I could have sung there this morning I would have sung the Ray Boltz song "Thank You." The lyrics fit your dad perfectly.
This service was a memorial to the faith and courage of your dad and all your family, Amber. Love and prayers for all of you.
1 person likes this
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