Like a second Dad...

God sets us in families.

He is the giver of good things.

And family is good.

Our family of origin is divinely appointed, I believe.

But I also know, and have seen on countless occasions in my own life, how God expands our family to include other brothers and sisters. Fathers and Mothers beyond those to whom we were born.

As a child and youth, I was blessed with a second family. A family with whom I spent many a weekend. With whom I ate many meals. I even tagged along on a few vacations.

Corey's family was quite different from mine.
She had younger siblings. I had older.
Her family went tent camping. We 'roughed it' in cabins or hotels.
They ate spicy, exotic foods. Us, not so much.
They were more 'fly by the seat of your pants' while my parents were well-planned.

Corey's Dad was a talker.
He could go on for hours. And hours.
Dispensing advice, telling stories, giving warnings.
My Dad? Quiet.

Corey's Dad owned several boats while we were growing up. But whenever he owned one, he ended up selling it around tax time to pay his taxes.
My Dad saved up his money all year to pay his taxes.

Charlie always had a bit of an edge to him. A quick temper resided carefully beneath his playful demeanor, and I was always a little afraid that it might jump out if we did something to provoke it.
My Dad was steady. Calm. Controlled.

This contrast of personalities served me well growing up. I was able to observe two very different sets of parents and learn from both of them.

From Charlie, I learned passion.
I learned that emotions are not the enemy.
I learned that sexual purity is more than just a nice tagline. Or a silly Christian rule. It's a protection against painful consequences and life-long issues.
I learned to be adventurous.
I learned to participate.
I learned to laugh. A lot.

From Charlie, I learned you're never too old to live your dream.

I learned how a husband can cherish a wife, but that he still might want to wring her neck occasionally.

From Charlie, I learned how to submit to my husband.
And how to make a life-long promise.

Charlie was my pastor for many years.
As such, he was the one after whom I solemnly repeated my wedding vows
By Charlie's declaration, we were proclaimed husband and wife.
And in part due to his counsel and example, we are still very happily married, fifteen years later.


More recently, Charlie taught me that each day is a gift.
A gift to be cherished.
And that people are precious.
And that we need to tell them we love them. Often.


This morning Charlie passed away.

I imagine right now he is sailing. With Jesus. Jesus loved to sail.

I sure loved that man...

Thank you God for including Charlie in my life.
For giving me this man from whom I learned so much.
Who taught me Your word.
And who loved so fiercely.
And whose crinkly eyed smile I will never, ever forget.
Grant peace to his family.
Peace in turmoil.
Solace in grief.
Laughter in sorrow.
Amen.