Today, I am reminded of the hole that is left in my life.
Today, one year ago today my dad was finally healed, restored, made whole and complete.
Today, I ache because he’s not here…
~Peter
Here’s the rest of the story…
As I am writing, I am in Waxahachie Texas at my parents house. I took a day off, and headed down south to spend some time with my mom and my sisters. It has been eight months since we said goodbye to my Dad. These have been some of the most difficult months that we as a family have gone through. God has been good, and He has lovingly shown us His peace, His mercy, His grace, and His amazing care for us. I have been so blessed to have a dad like my dad.
I was reading on the plane ride here to Texas, all while trying to keep my arms from touching either of the “elmo-esque” furry arms that awaited me on either side. I was finishing up the book, “Next Generation Leader” by Andy Stanley. There are several amazing lines in this book, but one stood out to me. It feels right to share it with you…
“The question is: Have you determined what you want to become? Your doing will flow from who you are. The outer man will reflect the inner man. The inner man determines the legacy of the outer man.”
Many of you who read this blog did not have an opportunity to meet my dad. There are a few things that I have learned about my dad since he has gone to be with the Lord. I knew that my dad was a man of God, but I didn’t know just how much! His legacy has left an incredible mark on my life, and the lives of so many. There was a time when he determined… when he set before himself, his wife, and his family that he was going to follow and serve God no matter what the cost. His inner man was set. He was sure. His outward actions reflected his inward convictions. He knew he was to be a man following God’s leading.
Have you determined what you want to become? It’s not to late. It’s never to late. What is the condition of your inner man? Is your outer man truly reflecting your inner convictions?
As I look ahead, I know that the single most important thing that I can do is to set before myself convictions that I believe that God himself has placed on my life, and follow them with all that I have.
What about you?
hmmm….
~Peter
Yesterday was a day spent giving thanks by many around our nation. We gathered around tables, booths, or bars, and spent time with others consuming near fatal amounts of turkey, and trimmings. Yesterday was a day set aside by our forefathers as a time to look back and remember all that God has done for us.
The other night I was sitting at our church’s thanksgiving eve service by myself all alone in the back row, feeling bad for myself. I was listening to person after person share how God had healed them and helped them in the last year, and I was having a hard time just thinking about how God chose to take my Dad home and not heal him. I’ll be honest, it was hard. Really hard.
But in the midst of it all, I started to tune out those who were speaking and I began a list in my journal of the things I’m thankful for. Here’s what I am thankful for in 2008…
There is so much to be thankful for. It is really easy to be negative though isn’t it? Just to look at the downside… But I’m grateful for so much! What about you? What are you thankful for?
~Peter
Tagged Dad, Family, Jeff Gowesky, Thankful, Thanksgiving 2008, Turkey
Dear Friends,
Thank you so much for all of the kind words that you have written and said. I appreciate your cards and your meals. Tiffany and I are so blessed to be supported by not only one church family, but three! In our short 26 years of life, we have already served in Youth Ministry roles in 3 churches. It was such a blessing to hear from friends from all three of those bodies! We miss you, and we are thankful for your prayers as we both walk through this time. It has been incredible to hear from people around the country and even around the world! Thank you, thank you, thank you.
To our family here in Doylestown, words cannot describe how grateful we are for each of you. I am so thankful to serve in a church that cares for me as a person not just for what I can bring to the table! We love you!
Thank you,
~Peter
After seeing this outpouring of love, it made me wonder, When was the last time that someone showered you with care and concern?
Posted in Life
Tagged FBC Doylestown, Goshen Baptist Church, Grace Calvary Church, Jeff Gowesky, Pastor, Thank you
So, I am sitting here thinking and trying to get ready for our fall retreat for our High School Ministry at FBC, and I am just drawing blanks. I feel like I’m not firing on all cylinders. I look back at the course of the last two weeks and realize that it is blurry. There are a few moments that I remember with razor sharp accuracy. However, the minutes and hours have all kind of fuzzed over into one big painful memory. [For those of you who may be jumping in you can read about what I'm talking about, here, here, here, and here. You can click here to see my dad's testimony.]
Today I got back the video from my dad’s memorial service, and I wanted to share this one video with you. I promise that I won’t inundate you with video’s and other stuff, but this is to special not to share.
After watching this over and over again I find it amazing to think about the way that my dad, even when unable to speak, continued to touch people’s lives. So many people take for granted how much their actions speak; how much their lives speak.
What is your life speaking right about now?
~Peter
