March is a difficult time for me.  My father went home to be with the Lord in March of 1998.  He died next to my mother in bed from a heart attack in the early morning hours.  But he had already been up to read the scriptures though, as was his habit each morning.  When they handed me his belongings at the hospital I opened his Bible to the last thing he had read.  I moved the three by five card he used as a bookmark and my eyes fell upon these highlighted words from II Timothy 4:6 – 8:

Paul’s last testament

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

God, in His infinite graciousness, let me know through His living word that my daddy was OK.  In fact, he was more than OK.  Every time I read these words I think of my father and the life he led for the Lord.  I try to emulate my father and our Heavenly Father’s examples although I know I fall short.  Pushing through my sorrow, I know I will see Daddy again someday.  I am thankful for the faith my father instilled in me and I am passing that faith on to his granddaughter.  So wherever you are and whatever you are doing, keep the faith.  Achukma hoke.