The little old man…

Mother’s Day weekend of 2017, my husband and I moved his biological father in with us. He was living in Colorado as a recluse and was in very poor health. He had survived a series of strokes, as well as a heart attack, and needed help. He had never been an active part of my husband’s life, nor had he been a good man or father. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Quite honestly, from a worldly perspective, my husband would have been quite justified in wiping his hands of the situation and letting his dad figure something else out.

My husband is a Godly man, truly a man after God’s own heart. So, he did not feel justified in letting his dad suffer. Instead, he felt convicted that he should intervene and extend grace and kindness to his dad. After conversation and prayer, we decided to make the drive and bring his dad home.

What has been amazing to me about this part of our story is the way that God can truly work goodness in us. It is Christ living in my husband that made him able to put the past aside and find love in his heart for a man who left him as a young boy. The healing that has occurred in the time that this little old man has come to stay with us is truly remarkable.

Please don’t get me wrong. There has been difficult parts to this process and boy has there been some laughter (yes, at the little old man’s expense). This is no fairy tale. But, the truth of the matter is that my love and admiration for my husband has grown through this process. And my love for a little old man has grown too.  I have chosen to consider his presence in our home as a living, breathing example of God’s grace, tenderness and mercy. My husband had the pleasure of introducing his dad to Jesus. He attends church with us on Sunday and goes to Men’s Bible study.

We serve an awesome God! Romans 5:8 reminds us of this unbelievable truth, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Can I get an hallelujah from the back row? You see Philippians 4:13 has proven true. “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Oh, yes, we can, even with a little old man!

Be joyful!