Much of Proverbs seems to be written from a father to his son. It is the father’s way of passing on his wisdom to his son, a reminder that one of the chief influences in a man’s life could be his father.
I am very grateful to God for placing me in a family with an earthly father who took seriously the admonition to raise his children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Amazingly enough, it was because my father’s earthly father abandoned the family when my father was young that he wanted to be a father who passed on to his children a godly heritage.
Not only was my father a great mentor and instructor to me as I was growing up, he has continued to be a support and encouragement to me. His prayers, his concern, and his money has made our continued residence in Mongolia possible.
Do not misunderstand and think that my father is rich. He is not. But he has showed self-control and deference to God in his finances in order that he could help us on the mission field. It was his vision that made me consider a carpenter shop in the first place. It was primarily his money that paid for the carpenter shop to be set up here. It is primarily his time and talents that have paved the way for these Mongolian men to work at carpentry.
Many missionaries are in the difficult situation of having parents who are not happy that their children have taken their grandchildren to a far off place. But in our case, we both have parents who are thrilled to see us serving the Lord. Both have shown by their time, attention, and money that they would not have us be in any other place.
On Father’s Day, I want to thank the Lord for giving me Steve Dean as a father.
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