A Letter for My Dad

My Dear Son Larry,

Greetings from the Realms of Glory. I am writing this letter to you to tell you all of the things that I was never able to tell you when I was with you. I know you were not expecting this and I know that you have been doubting it's validity in your later years, doubted yourself and your salvation. I have watched you through this time and I want you to know that I have seen the man that you grew to be from the boy in McAlester as well as the man you have become since my death and the times you stumbled through life with only questions and no answers. There is so much I want to say to you. I can't wait to wrap my arms around you neck and tell you just how much I've missed you. How proud you have made me with the decision and the risk and sacrifices you have made all throughout your life to raise your boys and beautiful daughter. I am so proud of you that I beam continually with the jewels of you in my crown. Just know that there has not been a time since I arrived here that I have not known all about the things you have done as a pastor, a preacher, a teacher, a husband, a father and a grandfather, and I commend you for them with great respect. I was never the man you are and so it goes that we pass our shortcomings and sin to the next generation. The re-generation is by the Son. Each conceived in his time for a purpose to be completed by the Sheppard. The considerable regret that I had upon leaving you for not conveying this to you in my lifetime, as great as it was, was quickly erased in the light of the glory of the Son. And I do mean all our cares pass rapidly in the face of the Savior.

Your patience and longsuffering for friend and foe, relative and the rejected are the first thing that I want to commend you for. Never cease to believe the Father chose this gift specifically for you to make you an instrument in the hand of the All-Seeing God. Nothing returns to Him without complete accomplishment. No son of yours will soon forget or does not notice the pain of the effort. Your spouse does not lie awake at night but what she thanks her maker for the kindness and thoughtfulness of her husband though recently she forgot to display her appreciation and gratitude. I know and the Son sees each time that His tool is tested and is pleased each time, even if its effects go unrealized on Earth. Your sons also acknowledge and share a deep respect for this attribute of Christ you display even though they are often unable to appreciate it in the moment that is this lifetime. I can't tell you all the work the Father is doing but I kindly remind you that He is. You know that and remember it again with His gentle and often reminders.

Me, I never so much as moved from my wedding house. But not you, you became a nomad like Abraham. By what courage and faith in God did you set out in search of your Judy, back and forth across the country. Then again with your wife and children in tow, searching for that city whose builder and maker was God. The toil and tears sweated out in unfamiliar territory were stored up by the Father to be poured out to the glory of the Son. You will probably not know the benefit the Father has arranged for you daughter and sons by the sacrifice of you service day-in and day-out. You can't quite see the picture our God is painting from your perspective. But, I do. I see it and it is grand, a masterpiece. I watched you and yours 'rounding Bear Mountain. What a mess that trip was, but what a confidence you built in you son by letting him navigate. That memory has followed him through this career in the military. Works set in motion by the Father, seeding the fields of future worshipers. Wow, does He ever know what He is doing. The faith that you have and that we have is a gift from God, not initiated by us dead in sin, but injected by grace into dead bones wrapped in dead flesh. We are quickened of His choosing to receive the salvation that He so freely gives. Be encouraged and feel the love and respect that the Father has placed in your children for you.

Your father and steward in Christ

Everett Glenn

P.S.

Vera and Mickey were a hoot when they saw each other again. I was waiting there with him just to see her reaction. She never let a day go by but what she remembered him. She was so longing to see him, next to Christ. Emsy and Ethel are so young looking and still have the same sense of humor. The meals are about the same and Vera still loves to make the muffins and dips her beans with a coffee cup. Grandpa Glenn was surprised to be here and even used the “much obliged” line on Christ. What fun. I’ll see you again when you finally make it home. There is so much more to see, so much more that the mind can hold.