An Open Letter to My Parents

Hi Dad and Mom

Please forgive the “formalness” of this letter. I am typing this because if I hand wrote it would probably be harder to read; and I have a bad habit of relying on spell check rather than a dictionary.

I was thinking of the two of you when I was out for a walk the other day and I became very grateful for all that you have done for me; for our family over the years.

In particular, I wanted to write down a couple of things that came to mind.

You both sacrificed so much of your time, emotions, sleep, finances; your physical health to provide for all of us children over our lifetimes.

But more than the physical provisions; of which I am tremendously grateful, it is the spiritual heritage that I felt led to comment on.

I know that I did some things right as a dad and husband, but I know that it was God who chose to hear your prayers and change the course of history.

Mom and Dad; Thank you for not quitting on your marriage; for leaving a legacy of hope that marriages can be “born again”. Thank you for praying Cathy and I through the times of turbulence in our marriage.

Thank you for discipling me when I came to the Lord in college. I am forever grateful for the simple daily devotionals that the three of us would do at the counter in the kitchen. It was during those times that I developed a love for the Bible and reading it from cover to cover.

Thank you for teaching me to trust the Lord for His provision by seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness.

MOM; you started this. It was you who followed the Lord’s leading as you wondered what had happened to Chris and Sue Steven’s life to make them appear so different.

It was you who said “yes” to Angie’s invitation to “come and see”.

It was you who invited dad to “come and see”.

It was you who stood in the gap and prayed for your children.

It was you who said “yes” to allowing the Lord to make changes in all areas of your life.

It was your prayers and tears and intercessions that prayed all of us boys into the Kingdom of God. All of your sons are at a place where they long to follow and serve the Lord with their whole heart.

The results of your prayers are seen in the lives of those who we have touched in ministry; formally, or behind the scenes. 

Galatians 6:9 says; “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Proverbs 31:28 says; “Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her.”  

You are blessed, and your sons are blessed, and the next generations (should Jesus tarry) will be blessed because you chose life in Jesus when you were presented with the option.

We couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you Mom.

DAD; you too were a part of all of this. More than what you did by becoming a Catholic and all that it cost you, it was the legacy of seeking God that you deposited.

 

I remember you going on retreats when we were kids and going to novenas and taking us to St. Joseph’s; trying to seek the Lord as best you knew how.

When mom came to the Lord, you, too, surrendered after you (like a Berean) sought for truth in following Jesus and baptism in the Holy Spirit.

You, too, were willing to say “yes” to allowing the Lord to make changes in all areas of your life.

You also have stood in the gap for so many people; including your children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

On my walk, I remember a men’s retreat that we both attended where one of the talks was on how to raise your children in the Lord.

You, Tom Langlois, Joe Rowan, and Marv were hit with the frustration and tears as you expressed; “Where was this when we were starting out as young parents?” I remember several of us standing up and requesting; “Help us to raise our children, the next generation”.

As I look at my sons, I realize that your cries, your prayers that day were heard by a God who, too, wanted to see a godly heritage; and your sons and my sons are the result of that. Joshua and Jonathan are my hope of a new generation that will do it right; and the world will be a better place!

As I have spent time with Joshua and Jonathan and watch how they treat their wives, I realize; Dad, WE DID IT! We stopped the erosion of men who didn’t do it right (for a whole lot of reasons).

So, as you think of my ministry and the lives that I am able to touch and make a difference in, and when you look at my children and how they have turned out; please know that you were the ones who made it happen by your choices to follow and seek the only One who could ever make lasting changes in our lives.

 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.” John 15:7-8

I am so very grateful that each of you has said, and continues to say, “yes” to the will and purposes of the Lord Jesus Christ in your lives.

Thank you.

I love you

 PSALM 127

¹ Unless the LORD builds the house,
         They labor in vain who build it;
         Unless the LORD guards the city,
         The watchman stays awake in vain.
 ² It is vain for you to rise up early,
         To sit up late,
         To eat the bread of sorrows;
         For so He gives His beloved sleep.
 
 ³ Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD,
         The fruit of the womb is a reward.
 ⁴ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior,
         So are the children of one’s youth.
 ⁵ Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them;
         They shall not be ashamed,
         But shall speak with their enemies in the gate.