I have to share an event that happened to me
recently that profoundly impacted me and shed lots on understanding my Faith
Walk with Our Father.
Are you familiar with the movie ‘Father of the Bride’
(1991) that featured Steve Martin and Diane Keaton, yet it was originally
released in 1950 that had Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. It’s based on a comedy play of the same name
by Edwin Streeter.
The gist of the story is that Mr. Banks, the father
of the bride, seems to be out of sorts and out of steps in trying to arrange
the plans for his precious daughter’s wedding.
It seems that everyone in the story knew what was going on, except Mr.
Banks. I had the privilege of playing
that role in the local Community Theater, so I’m well acquainted with the hoopla
that surrounds the father. In the end,
all goes well, however, getting there the comedy swirled around the father and
the audience was privileged to see is all unfold around him.
In Steve Martins version, we see the father; love
his daughter very much, wanting only the best for her as he wrestles between
the joy of the moment and the memories of his daughter growing up too
fast. At the wedding day, all is arranged;
all goes perfectly with the ceremony, and the reception, with the exception
that the father of the bride seems to be out of sync the whole day to various
events, that keep him one step behind and missing out on everything: including
the wedding, their vows, the reception, the father-daughter dance and the couple
leaving for the honeymoon. While it is humorous, it is also sad and frustrating
for not only the character but you the viewer.
In April of the this year, my youngest daughter, was
very excited to come home and visit us for a week. She moved off a year ago and is living in
Seattle. It happens to all, life goes
on. You raise a family, they all move
off. I did. It’s the circle of life.
Yet, she came home for one week, and it was nice to
have her home. We didn't do anything fancy, yet, as a father, I was happy to know she was home, and she was in her
bed as I left the house each morning as I went off to work. Like it always was for the 1st 20
years of her life. Sweet memories.
Madelyne’s flight was for Friday, (Good Friday) in
the afternoon. Here’s where the
misunderstanding begins. I knew she was
leaving out at or around 5, I didn't know if perhaps we would take her out to
eat prior. ‘I thought’ I would get a
call or text from my wife or daughter saying they were on their way to the
airport or restaurant, and I would meet them.
We live 40 minutes from the airport and I work only 10 away, so I’ll
hang out at work till I get the word and meet up with them.
So the day goes by, and I’m piddling here and there, Good Friday afternoon, nothing happening important in the business world, so I
piddle with this and that, doing ‘make work’ watching the clock and waiting for
‘the call’.
4:00 nothing.
4:15 nothing.
4:30 nothing…
I knew her flight was around 5,
so I texted my wife wondering where they were.
I waited 10 minutes, no response.
Then I texted my daughter the same message, she texts back, ‘Where are
you?’ I reply ‘At work, where are you?’ ‘The airport. I’m about to board the plane!’
Right then all my emotions drained, I call her and
say, ‘Oh Madelyne, where are you? I’ll
be right there. She said, I am boarding
the plane you won’t make it. What happened?
That’s when I told her I was expecting a call from
Mom or her letting me know you had left the house and were on the way. Needless to say, it was a mis-communication
and a misunderstanding on all parties.
She got on the plane and left for Seattle. I got in my car and drove home, alone in a
funk. How could I have missed it! I didn't get to say good bye, I didn't get to
hug her, I didn't get to tell her I loved her again. I drove home, crying to myself. Got home and still pondered the moments, the
hollow feeling, the ache of missing someone you love.
Yes I talked with Abba about it. I wasn't mad, I just was reflecting,
deeply. I know that ‘things happen for a
reason’ and that ‘there are no coincidences’.
That’s when it hit me:
‘Father of the Bride’
I felt like Steve Martin and it wasn't funny. He missed it.
Then I could almost hear Our Father say, ‘Rick, My Bride misses me
almost in the same way every year’.
It was then I had a slight glimpse into the heart of
The Creator, OUR Father, when He said: ‘Oh, that they had such a heart in them,
to fear Me and to guard all My commands always, so that it might be well with
them and with their children forever!” (Deut
5:28)
You see Our Father, ‘The Creator’ has His appointed
times He wants to meet with His Children, you can read about them in Leviticus
23. These are His appointed times, yet
we were taught they are ‘Jewish’ feasts, ‘Jewish’ Sabbaths. They’re not!
(Lev 23:1-2)
And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, ‘Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl,
and say to them, ‘The appointed times of יהוה, which you are to proclaim as
set-apart gatherings, My appointed times, are
these:”
(Lev 23:4) ‘These
are the appointed times of יהוה, set-apart gatherings which you are
to proclaim at their appointed times.”
(Lev 23:44)
Thus did Mosheh speak of the appointed times of יהוה
to the children of Yisra’ĕl.
Can you hear Our Father longing for us to meet with
Him on His appointed times? We have been
mislead over the eons to miss the dates.
His Son didn't change them or do away with
them. Father didn't make a mistake when
He said these are ‘Perpetual-Forever’ Appointed times. (v 14.21, 32, 41)
Removing errors sharpens our game…. All we have to lose are the errors we hold and then we gain the
Truth. There is nothing but shame to be
gained by willfully holding on to false opinions.
(1Jn 2:28)
‘And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may
have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. If you know
that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness
has been born of Him.’
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