Left Behind

 "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come." Psalm 71:18

    When cleaning out her church's library, my sister was about to toss a plain, brown book, a slim volume rather unremarkable at first glance. But something gave her pause to open the cover where, lo and behold, she recognized our dad's handwriting! 

    Dad had gifted the book to our pastor back in 1964, which was a treasure in itself for my sister to see, but then she noticed that the author was our mother's uncle, Mr. Clarence Dame. Those of our generation had no idea he had penned a book. Now here it lay in her hands. 

    Entitled "Fathers of the Bible," he explores the role of earthly fathers as seen in the pages of Scripture. It's quite an interesting read, especially when  he mentions his own father's godly influence on the family of ten children, one of whom was our grandmother.

    Here is one precious excerpt: "A father can impress upon the minds of the children what are the real important things in life. By his conversation and by his prayers a father reveals what he thinks to be most valuable in life. My father always prayed that all the children would serve the Lord. He was much more concerned about the children's spiritual condition than about their material advantages." Clarence went on to say, "Wise indeed is the father who directs the minds and hearts of his children to God and His service, and teaches them to seek Him first." 

    Those prayers, uttered by our great-grandfather, are still reaping a harvest today. 

    In the Hall of Faith chapter, the writer speaks of Abel, who was slain by his envious brother, Cain because the former had offered a better sacrifice than the latter. Yet the Bible has this to say: "By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith, Abel still speaks, even though he is dead." (Hebrews 11:4)

    In a similar way, the words found in Clarence's book speak for him long after his death. And these are not words of little value, that are here today and gone tomorrow. No, they are like a pearl of great price with eternal benefit because they point to our Heavenly Father and the free pardon of sin through His Son, Jesus. 

    Of all the things a man can leave behind for his children, what could be more extravagant?

"Our parents left us no money but they left us something far more precious than material things - Christian principles to live and die by, and for these we thank God." - Clarence Dame