A Man of Honor

Today (August 4th) is the birthday of one of my 'heroes'. Sue's dad - DALE CARPENTER - is celebrating his 70th-something birthday. He is a godly example of a Christian man. As a loving husband to Bertha, and dad (to Sue and De Ann and her husband John) he lives his faith daily. And this faith is constantly tested - Dad C (my name for him) is challenged with the effects of progressive MS. His mobility is reliant on a wheelchair, his body is becoming increasingly weakened - but his inner strength remains. James writes "Be patient then until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near." James 5: 7,8. NIV
The farmer can be patient because he sees (by faith) what is coming - a good crop.
We too need to allow patience (God's peace in action) when tests and trials come to us, whether it be bad traffic, frustrations in our workplace or simply in our relationships with others. I know Dale or Dad C would love to physically "Stand firm" again - but he has never wavered in 'standing firm' spiritually and what an example he is to me and to many others. Happy Birthday Dad!