40. Father’s Day
So still he lies upon the bed,
It seems each breath must be his last.
Wise doctors speak in mournful tones,
They know this father’s days have passed.
His children had such kinder plans,
On this fair day that bears his name.
It was to be a day of praise,
With tender words that might remain,
And comfort him in future years,
When he recalled how each had told,
Him of their love, and great esteem--
Warm thoughts to bless as he grew old.
He does not seem to feel or hear,
Their gentle touch or loving words.
But through dark hours they abide,
To pray with hearts whose hope is heard,
By God, the Father of us all,
Who seeks for every child the same.
He smiles upon compassionate souls,
Whose love and care will yet remain,
Until their earthly father knows,
That he must meet the Lord of all.
And while they pray that he yet stay,
They should not fear for such a call.
For each one never should forget,
He shared a life made rich with love.
With their dear mother he has served,
To bring God’s blessings from above.
From infants in their first dear home,
To eager youth who played and learned,
He sought the best for them each day.
And by his life we know he yearned.
To always comfort them when ill,
Or weak, or fearful in the night.
He built a family with his heart,
And bid them live in Father’s light.
This Father’s Day, recall with joy,
That sire who taught you love of life.
Whose works and thoughts with you remain,
A gift of service in God's sight.
And should you err in doubt or pride,
To think you praise his soul alone,
The night reveals what day can hide,
The countless diamonds of God’s throne.
Then when his mortal days have past,
Know well his spirit’s heart beats still,
And you will share his peace, at last,
If you, like he, do Father’s will.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Non-commercial usage allowed.
Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. ”
Context
One Father’s Day, some years ago, we were asked by the family of an elderly man in a local hospital to pray with them and give the father a priesthood blessing. The Intensive Care Unit was filled that night with about five very sick men, all of advanced age, each attended by their families. The man we came to see was lying in a totally comatose state, fully intubated, undergoing constant infusions of drugs.
He was surrounded by his wife of more than fifty years, their five adult children, and some of their spouses. One daughter lovingly massaged her father’s feet, while a son held his hand. His wife was at his other side, praying silently. It was a memorable scene of affection for a kindly father whose present illness was as unexpected as it was unwelcome. This family, and the others in the ICU that night, sought to visit with their fathers before they were deprived of their company. We prayed and blessed as the Spirit directed, and had a deeply moving visit. (Even now, many years later, I can recall, with exactness, the details of that scene and our visit. It was a life-altering experience.)
Later that night, I could not sleep, but pondered the experience, with the words “so still he lies upon the bed” pounding at me until I arose and recorded the verse set out above. From that event, I came to appreciate the value of telling our earthly fathers of our love while we still can. How happy I am that through an enduring bond which abides between myself and my earthly parents, now both in the world of spirits, they know of my eternal esteem--I told them often and fervently.
So still he lies upon the bed,
It seems each breath must be his last.
Wise doctors speak in mournful tones,
They know this father’s days have passed.
His children had such kinder plans,
On this fair day that bears his name.
It was to be a day of praise,
With tender words that might remain,
And comfort him in future years,
When he recalled how each had told,
Him of their love, and great esteem--
Warm thoughts to bless as he grew old.
He does not seem to feel or hear,
Their gentle touch or loving words.
But through dark hours they abide,
To pray with hearts whose hope is heard,
By God, the Father of us all,
Who seeks for every child the same.
He smiles upon compassionate souls,
Whose love and care will yet remain,
Until their earthly father knows,
That he must meet the Lord of all.
And while they pray that he yet stay,
They should not fear for such a call.
For each one never should forget,
He shared a life made rich with love.
With their dear mother he has served,
To bring God’s blessings from above.
From infants in their first dear home,
To eager youth who played and learned,
He sought the best for them each day.
And by his life we know he yearned.
To always comfort them when ill,
Or weak, or fearful in the night.
He built a family with his heart,
And bid them live in Father’s light.
This Father’s Day, recall with joy,
That sire who taught you love of life.
Whose works and thoughts with you remain,
A gift of service in God's sight.
And should you err in doubt or pride,
To think you praise his soul alone,
The night reveals what day can hide,
The countless diamonds of God’s throne.
Then when his mortal days have past,
Know well his spirit’s heart beats still,
And you will share his peace, at last,
If you, like he, do Father’s will.
(c) www.servingjesuspoetry.com
Non-commercial usage allowed.
Exodus 20:12
“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. ”
Context
One Father’s Day, some years ago, we were asked by the family of an elderly man in a local hospital to pray with them and give the father a priesthood blessing. The Intensive Care Unit was filled that night with about five very sick men, all of advanced age, each attended by their families. The man we came to see was lying in a totally comatose state, fully intubated, undergoing constant infusions of drugs.
He was surrounded by his wife of more than fifty years, their five adult children, and some of their spouses. One daughter lovingly massaged her father’s feet, while a son held his hand. His wife was at his other side, praying silently. It was a memorable scene of affection for a kindly father whose present illness was as unexpected as it was unwelcome. This family, and the others in the ICU that night, sought to visit with their fathers before they were deprived of their company. We prayed and blessed as the Spirit directed, and had a deeply moving visit. (Even now, many years later, I can recall, with exactness, the details of that scene and our visit. It was a life-altering experience.)
Later that night, I could not sleep, but pondered the experience, with the words “so still he lies upon the bed” pounding at me until I arose and recorded the verse set out above. From that event, I came to appreciate the value of telling our earthly fathers of our love while we still can. How happy I am that through an enduring bond which abides between myself and my earthly parents, now both in the world of spirits, they know of my eternal esteem--I told them often and fervently.
