Two Dads

I tell people I loved Tim's father before I loved Tim.  In fact, I didn't even know Tim for the first few years of knowing his father.  When I did finally meet him, Tim did everything in his power to "capture me" but it was what I knew about Tim's father that allowed me to respond to Tim's persistence.  

Tim's father was a huge man in every way.  As small as my father is (picture me), Tim's father was the complete opposite (picture Tim - only bigger).  Dad's love for his Lord, God's people, his family matched his size.  Tim's father smiled large.  He shook hands and gave hugs in a large way.  He sang large, and worked and played large.  There was nothing small about this man.

Tim's father and mother were missionaries to Japan and used to speak at a summer Bible camp where I first met them.  I loved hearing their stories.  I have a clear memory of peppering this "Pastor Bill" with questions while in the lake at the camp.  I was standing in water up to my hips and his knees were barely wet. 

Then, a few years later I met his son.  From that point on, I had an up close look at this man.  He was a first generation Christian (almost completely unchurched).  When God saved him God gave him a deep hunger for God's word and spreading the Gospel.  He was a man of uncompromising convictions.  He loved history, especially church history.  He loved the Puritans.  He loved the doctrines of grace.  He loved, loved, loved to sing of this grace.  I can hear his voice now.

He loved his family, holidays, sports, games.  He loved children.  All children.  Children were magnetized to him.  Come to think of it, I can't think of anyone who wasn't.  Once you met this man, you were captured by his warmth and down-to-earth friendliness.  

Dad went to be with the Lord 2 1/2 years ago.  We miss him.  I miss him.  Because of him I have so much for which to be thankful.  He gave me my husband. He set an example for Tim and I to follow in marriage and ministry.  He consistently lived in the knowledge a sovereign God who demonstrated His love to sinners through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross.  I could go on.

Maybe another time.  Another post.  

But for now, it is enough for me to have this opportunity to honor Dad Shorey with my thoughts in the post.  Thank you for reading.  I hope you have been made to smile just from reading about this man, because if you could actually meet him I guarantee you'd be smiling. Someday you will meet him.  You'll smile then too.