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It has been so long since I have blogged. Sorry.
I just got a package in the mail that has exposed so many emotions. Unexpected and totally appreciated. My cousin sent me some “things” to remember my dad.
My dad died when I was just 4 years old in 1967. To be exact, 2 days after my birthday. For so many years I have wondered and dreamed what it would be like to know him, to talk to him, to hear his voice. Weirdly, I have wondered what he liked to do, places he would have wanted to visit. He was so young. I have almost made up stories in my mind about fishing trips and Christmas memories. I have heard so much, wondered so much and hoped so much.
My dad died young. He was the age of my son David, who actually bears his name. In the wake of the divorce of my parents and death of my father, I grew up with my grandma and grandpa. I was so blessed. Everyone loved “mom” and “pop”. I remember so many times that we would talk about my dad. I remember hearing stories and seeing pictures.
Today, moments ago, I received this package that captured my attention and assaulted my emotions. Stuff that made me think of my dad. His name was David Lee Bishop. I received a picture I had almost forgotten about. It is now framed and in my living room. I also have a funeral bulletin and a Bible.
As I opened the Bible and as tears ran down my face, I was stunned at the moment I saw his handwriting. He signed his name in 1956. He was 14 years old.
Someone, somewhere, gave my dad a Bible.
It is torn, it is old, it is from the Gideons and it bears the name of my daddy. Maybe he went to church? Maybe he met Jesus? Maybe he will be there when I get there? Ugh. So many emotions. So many questions…..
When the day is over, I saw a picture that I had almost forgotten about and found hope that I had never thought about. I know it is a Bible. A worn, ragged, torn up Bible. It may mean nothing, but to me in this moment…it means everything. Because with tear-filled eyes I have a hope-filled heart. My dad may have met our Savior. My dad may be there right now in Heaven. Waiting for his son. The hug I have never felt and the voice I can’t remember is a possibility.
Life is so short my friends. Love people while you can. Listen more than you talk. Like people you don’t want to be around, and in your family leave a legacy. In fact more than leave, make a decision to LEAD a legacy. Your kids need you. You matter to so many people. Take pictures, give hugs and make your one and your only life count.
Good day for me. Just wanted to share.
John LEE Bishop
Anyone can view this Rhonda | March 12th Hey John, I was going through the last 30 or so boxes of family photos and memorabila from my Mom's house(I miss her so very much!!) and found our 130 year old family bible...How cool is that? It has a photo of my Great, Great, Great grandmother. |
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Nancy | March 7th I never had a relationship with my dad and very little with my mom. I was adopted when I was 16mos old to the most wonderful parents. Yes, life was difficult growing up knowing you were given away, but God knew what he was doing. I met and married someone I grew up in church with and 22yrs later, God took him away. I have two lovely daughers and four wonderful grandkids. I married again and life began a new battle. My husband of 12 yrs an alcoholic and now 70+ days sober. Today was our first day together at Living Hope. What a beautiful message of Hope. Out of despair, God blesses us. Do I know where it all leads to? No. But with the help of God it will be fabulous! |
Jeri | March 6th You are ALWAYS an inspiration!!! |
Christina Ledesma | March 4th John, My childrens father/ my husband died almost three years ago when they were 6 & 8. I know he didn't have a relationship with Christ for the 9 years we were together but hearing your story gives me hope that just possibly one day we will see him again! Thank you for sharing! Christina Sent from my iPhone |
Doug | March 3rd The last paragraph.....it's words to live by. I thank God for you. |
Kathleen | March 3rd Thank you for sharing. I believe this was Gods way of assuring you that your dad is in heaven. |
Kellie | March 2nd What an unexpected,glorious surprise! I am so glad that you have been given hope, that one day you will be met by, not only your Father, but your DADDY! Thank you so much for sharing the news! |
Nola Burke | March 2nd What a joy it must be to have received these unexpected gifts. I treasure not the knick knacks, jewelry, furniture and assorted "things" my parents left behind, but rather the old bible with each of mine and my siblings birth information, the family pictures, the memories and especially the old cards and love letters my parents sent back and forth while Dad was stationed in Korea. These are the true Legacy they left to us. The true gifts. Thank you John, for sharing your story. God Bless you. |
Sheila Askelson | March 2nd Awwwwww, I am speechless at this moment and you have brought me to tears. What an amazing gift to receive. God knows just the right moment to reach out and touch our souls in a way no one else ever can or could. Hold strong and know your father is there waiting just as eager for that hug as you are. Lately we have had some serious strife in our family, it has been torn assunder it seems and I have wondered what to do and have had a hard time releasing my anger over it all. Your words have brought back the reason we built this family and exactly how I want to be a positive, God praising, and loving mother regardless. Thank you, I now know the path I must follow. Funny thing is deep down inside I already knew but was battleing the inner demons to be right! What is being right if you lose everyone who counts? God Bless you Pastor John, through God you reach out and touch so many. |
 Lori L | March 2nd I am so happy for you and that you have hope. I got tears just reading what your shared. Thank you for being such a good paster and person. |
Jeff Eberhard | March 2nd I wish I knew my dad better than I do. My parents divorced when I was little and I never really got to know my dad the way I wanted to. Our first time at Living Hope Church was last week. We felt so much at home it was amazing. The last time we felt at home was when we lived in Yucca Valley, Ca. Pastor Ty was amazing, he talked to us personally. He touched us in so many ways. That was almost 3 years ago. We've been living here in Vancouver for almost 3 years and never really found a new home until last weekend when we visted Living Hope Church. Everyone made us feel so comfortable and welcome. I know that we are home and safe. Thank you so much for just being you. Can't wait until Sunday when we can come again. We are planning on attending the 11 am service becuase we heard it was a extended service. I tried to find you after last weeks service to meet you and shake your hand but we couldn't find you. We'll be looking forward to seeing you this Sunday. Thank you again and God Bless. Jeff |
JB | March 2nd I lost my Dad when I was four also. Mine however chose to walkout and pursue his own interests. I too wondered what it would be like to know him, to hear his voice to have him around. He lived in the same town - maybe 5 minutes away but remained a stranger despite attempts to get to know him. It bothered me, weighed upon and took it's toll up me as it did my brothers. What on earth could be so wrong with us that he had no interest. It made a huge impact upon my relationship with God I came to realize because I have that tendency to remain at arms distance for fear of rejection. Living Hope is helping turn that around. I know that God knew, even before my conception, that this would be the way my life went. I can choose to be a victim and let what I didn't have affect the rest of my life but I choose to believe in a Father that will be there for me - even when I am the one turning my back. I am so blessed that this Father knows me well, wants to be part of me life and there is nothing I can do to make Him love me less. That is my happy ending! I truly hope my dad was a believer. I realize some people just aren't cut out to be who we want them to be or have hurts of their own that get in the way. I just hope God healed his hurts the way He has mine. |
 Pastor John | March 2nd Thanks everyone for your comments and your prayers. Hope is truly the currency of our hearts. The Bible says in Proverbs "Hope deferred makes the heart sick" Take care everyone have a great day. |
Stephane Fehr | March 2nd Wow... Amazing to me...Glad you got to experience that moment. Thank you for what you said at the end. I really needed to hear those words. Thank you for your inspiration. |
Doni Ulman | March 2nd Dear Pastor John, Thanks for sharing, I too lost my father at a time that we were just getting to know each other. My parents divorced during WW11 and my mother kept me away from him, and it sadded me so much. But when we did get together, I found out what a wonderful person he was and the things that my mother said of him just weren't true. When he passed away, I wasn't able to be there and that hurts me more than you can ever know. I don't know if he is with the Lord, I don't know if he even knew him and that saddens me also, that maybe he won't be there when I come. I pray that he is there and that is all that I can do. My sister-in-law sent me some things of Daddy's that I cherish and she made a book on some pictures of him, that I look at once in awhile and have to laugh at the antics he pulled. I am so pleased that you were to have some things of your father's, it just makes them a little closer to your heart. You may not know this, but my middle name is LEE, after my father, who is Eldwin Lee Roy Steckmyer. Love you and bless you and enjoy the memories... Doni Lee Ulman |
Jill Hofstede | March 2nd I love this post. I love the reminders of the last paragraph so much. I've heard them before many times (from you in fact), but they never stop touching a place in my heart. Its a reminder i need over and over again. Thank you for sharing your story. |
Julie LaFountain | March 2nd I have a simular sad Father story. I did not know that your father and your Son shared the same name? Always lifting YOU and "ALL" of your family members up. Thank you for sharing your heart. |
Stella | March 1st Pastor John, thank you so much for sharing your special and emotional moments. I can feel your smiles and tears. God Bless you!!! |
Pastor John | March 1st Mike. My good friend, thanks for your heart, your words and your prayers. I think about you often. I am praying for you as now I am certain you are praying for me. You are such a good pastor Mike. |
Mike White | March 1st John.. My Good Brother, Thanks for sharing your heart and life so freely.. yes, God is faithful to care for the hearts of those who have gone before us. You are a delight to the heart of your Father and this friend. Because of Jesus.. Mike |
Julie | March 1st This experience seemed to have opened your eyes. It has opened mine as well. You write as well as you speak. I'm very happy I clicked on the link and read this post. Even though this is a specific event in your life you have given me a piece of hope where there was once the feeling of loss. |
