My 7-year-old dad, in 1943, fresh from swimming, joins his parents on the grass during what must have been family day at the camp where he spent his summers. It may be the only photo I have of them together. I wish I knew what father and son are watching, in unison. And isn’t it just like mom to keep an eye on things closer to hand?
I never saw my grandfather wear anything other than a suit; a hat was required whenever he went outside. That includes the day, years later, when he needed me, a newish driver, to take him to the eye doctor. When we were ready to leave the parking lot, the car, which had a manual transmission, somehow rolled forward over a little embankment and got stuck in some low-growing shrubs. The situation may have worsened when grandad got behind the wheel. I think I tried to discourage him — but he wouldn’t be put off. He tried gunning the engine, while branches punched a hole through the car near the front wheel, knocking off the wheel cover. No matter how much we tried, the car wouldn’t budge. We finally had to enlist the services of a tow truck to get the car free.
When I arrived home to tell my father what happened, I carried the wheel cover with me. “There was a little accident,” I think I said. “Everyone alright?” dad replied. After I said yes, he asked: “Is that what’s left?” while nodding toward the object in my hand.
It made me smile and relieved my anxiety all at once, giving me a jolt of courage to relate the mishap. Because it wasn’t just about the damaged car, but some kind of acknowledgement that my grandad, whom I loved dearly, was also a bit worse for wear. But he was a force, a personality, until the day he died, not long after. There were times when father and son may have been hard on each other, or misunderstood each other. But, not on that day.
I remember a Father’s Day when my pastor reflected on how important the approval of a dad is in any child’s life. God the Father made his approval abundantly clear when Jesus was baptized. “This is my beloved son on whom my favor rests.”
I think it’s hard for most to live up to that example. That’s why I think we must savor moments of tender mercies. I think they are clues as to the intentions that live deep in the heart of hearts.
Revelation Reports 