Losing Dad knocked me around.
I had a real groove going. 7 posts a week here and 5 videos a week on YouTube.
Yet suddenly, all that didn’t seem so important. At first, when Dad was in a coma, I was praying and talking with family all the time. I managed to keep posting for a while, then just couldn’t. My heart wasn’t in it.
Then we lost him.
Late at night, three days before his burial was scheduled, I decided to buy tickets and head to South Florida, price and visa status be damned.
The visa was the most worrying part and the reason I hadn’t left before. I was in the middle of negotiating my further stay here in our new nation when Dad had his accident. My family’s legal status was just about to expire and the government official I needed to write me a letter of recommendation was out of the country.
So the days were ticking by. The burial was only two days before my visa went illegal – and there was nothing I could do about it.
Except pray. So pray I did, buying the ticket on faith. Or foolhardiness.
The next morning before I flew out, I stopped by the immigration office and talked with a pleasant official I had met before. He told me to go and not worry – that all would be okay.
This was a huge weight off me. The last thing I want is to be ejected from here and sent back to the States.
The flight was non-eventful and I reached South Florida and my family safely, then spent most of a week with them, playing with nieces and nephews, filming some gardening videos, catching up with family, buying a guitar and some new art supplies, and most important of all, attending Dad’s burial and sharing what he meant to me while also sharing the gospel and God’s grace in the process.
I don’t apologize for my faith in God and the work of His Son for our redemption. Without it, life would be meaningless.
And I’m getting back on track, slowly but surely. I feel like life has run me over, but I’m pulling myself back together. While traveling I picked up some sort of a chest infection that won’t go away, but hopefully that will clear up soon. It’s really messing with my singing voice!
Have a great weekend. I’m going to do some painting today.
* * *
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
He restores my soul.
He leads me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.”
7 responses to “Pressing On”
David, I am sorry for your loss. I’m glad the travel ordeal worked out and you were able to make it there and back.
I am buying some land in a wooded area. I will re taking down trees less than 6″ diameter to make way for a garden. What are the best tools for this task? I already have the Meadow Creature Broad fork. I think the biggest challenge will be removing roots from trees. How can I get them out in the least difficult way? Or do I just get the thickest pieces out and plant around the roots finger size and smaller until they compost in the ground? In am in zone 6, Shenandoah mountains in Virginia.
I wish you a swift recovery physically and emotionally. Thank you for keeping us updated
Hi David,
You don’t know me, but I knew your Dad and he helped me grow when I was on staff at a ministry he was on the board of. He would come to our staff meetings and encourage us. I guess he tended us like you tend your plants – and we produced much fruit! I also think its possible I purchased some paintings from you at a fundraiser for that same ministry. I enjoy them every day – I never get tired of them and I always wish I had purchased the others that I admired at the time. I picked up a business card that day from the artist and always kept it – that’s how I found this website and when you mentioned “doing some painting today” – I put two and two together.
Peace.
May God bless you David. Sending prayers for you and your family. Thank you sharing your faith and all your blessings for South Florida gardeners.
You do a good service David… Thank you for sharing all you do. Your spreading the faith thru your writing and art and it makes the world a better place…
David,
My sympathy to you and your family for your loss. I am no stranger to tragedy and know how it can beat you down and turn your world upside down. From reading all of the messages you received I can tell your father inspired a lot of people to do good in this world. Also, given the little I know of you. It took a lot of intestinal fortitude to uproot your family and move to a strange undisclosed location in the tropics. Most people lack the conviction to follow their dreams like that. An interesting man in deed to raise you. Through you and others his memory will live on. With technology like the internet you David have the ability to inspire a much larger audience than your father ever could. Keep spreading the faith and sharing the beauty of God’s creation. Now more than ever the world needs His guidance and a sensible voice. If you need a break take it. Spend time with the family. If working is better, than work your arse off. But do not falter in your conviction David. For that is what has led us all here in the first place to journey with you. Do what you need to and then continue on. Best of luck to you and the family on your journey. I and everyone else will be with you to share.
David, I am finally moving and not in contact with internet these days. Losing a beloved parent is life changing. My prayers are with you and the family. You are a strong loving and nurturing family and will draw together to comfort each other. Know there are many that send this sincere, heartfelt support your way.
Deborah