A gentle, caring ‘man of God’ who was my father

My father was a ‘man of God’with a witty sense of humour,

A well loved and respected pastor and preacher of the Methodist Church,

Always having time for others to give a patient listening ear,

Caring for his ‘flock’ was his passion and career,

And…. so on Black July 1983, he opened the Methodist College and Headquarters and welcomed all in need of protection, love and care,

Forever humble not seeking wealth, positions, glory or power was his trademark trait

A ‘man of God indeed’, a man for all ‘seasons’ and a ‘faithful servant’.

As I contemplate on the past and our interactions,

I begin to wonder if I thanked him enough

For all what he meant to me? The ‘rock’ that made me who I am today.

I wonder if I ever thanked him enough

For all the sacrifices he made Especially to ensure I had a good grounding and education to be a useful citizen.

I will never know if in his old age he really understood what I said,

I will never know if he knew how much he meant to me,

But this I know, until his last breath his ‘Saviour’ he acknowledged and praised.

In his helplessness and despair, God sent an ‘Angel’ to care for him,

I am sorry, Father, I could not be there for you in your hour of need,

I am sorry, Father, I was not there by your side when you took that last breath.

You never complained and only wanted to spend the ‘autumn’ of your life in the comfort of your ‘home’& ‘room’, & enjoy the simple things in life

I am glad you did that to the very end.

I always picture that gentle and loving smile and give thanks to the Lord for a life well lived,

But this I know, until his last breath his ‘Saviour’ he acknowledged and praised.

He was satisfied and happy with simple things in Life,

And towards the end yearned for his Lord to call him ‘Home’

I am sure he was welcomed home to be forever alongside with his wife for life.