A Father’s Impact

     Al and I have enjoyed participating in a weekly small group through our church. This month we are focusing on Joseph, Mary’s husband, chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus Christ. Although there isn’t a great deal written about Joseph in the New Testament, he displayed the qualities valued in a good parent by protecting and providing for Mary and Jesus and the family.

     The study of Joseph has stirred up memories of my own father, Jim Turner, and the positive impact he has had on my life. My dad and his brother were raised by a single mother who worked tirelessly as a beauty operator to make ends meet. Needless to say, there were many difficult times for their family. Dad grew up having feelings of animosity towards his father who lived nearby but was not involved in their lives.

     There were two significant times in dad’s life when he felt that God was talking directly to him. The first was when he was injured while playing college football. Surgery was scheduled to remove a tumor and damaged ribs. However, while still in the hospital recovering, he received the news that a mistake had been made—the wrong ribs had been removed and more surgery was needed.

     At that time he called mom, whom he had married right after her graduation from high school.

He didn’t think that he would survive the second surgery. During that crisis though, he felt God’s presence and heard Him saying that everything was going to be alright. The second surgery was better than the first; but, dad was left with a life long reminder... a scar that went completely around his waist.

     After college, he and mom moved their three young children from Oakland to Bakersfield, California, where he began a long career of teaching Physical Education and coaching. When he was invited to take a group of athletes to a Christian camp one summer, dad heard the Lord speaking to him for the second time in his life, saying “Jim, I want you!” That was the beginning of a special and personal relationship with Christ.

     When his mother could no longer continue to work, mom and dad agreed to have her move in with them. At that time the three oldest children were grown; but the twins who had been born in Bakersfield, were still living at home. This required some adjustments on the part of the family and on the part of their grandmother too; nevertheless they all loved and reached out to her.

     After grandma passed away, a call came from dad’s half sister, asking if he would be willing to take in his father. This request was much more difficult, with memories of the past still vivid in dad’s mind. Once more, he and mom opened their home to an elderly parent. It turned out to be a time of reconciliation and bonding after many years of little or no communication.

     These particular stories touch my heart deeply because they show dad’s faith and how he worked through difficult circumstances of life. He was a loving man, dedicated to both his family and to his Lord.

     People say that the relationship between a father and his child influences that child’s relationship with God. In my own case, it proved true. When it came time to make a decision about giving my life to the Lord, it was easy for me to believe that God was real and that He loved me unconditionally. I had seen faith and love demonstrated through my dad day after day, year after year.

     I imagine that Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph shared these same qualities of forgiveness, love, dedication to his family and faith in God. Isn’t it amazing how God uses ordinary people when they are surrendered to Him?

     “Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.” Psalm 105:1 NIV

     “When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.” Luke 2:39-40 NIV