What Would Daddio Say?

I'm captured with the morning sky today. It's stretching out with various strands of violet, orange, and pink. With it comes a cooler breeze, as I step outside to view the colors. It's a beautiful beginning but a reminder that once again a change of weather will be coming. I find myself drawn to these quiet mornings when all the sky is just a coloring book for God. I have often thought about my Daddio and wondered what would he be saying?

What would Daddio say about the world in which we live? What about all the horrific natural disasters as earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, and fires? What about the awful political turmoil stirring up in countries around the world? What about too many wars, covert and overt, found on almost every continent? What about our families, our children as they face a world much darker? What about us, his remaining first generation of descendants whom he sought to love so well? What would Daddio be saying if he were here right now with us?

My answer lies in a story that Jesus told a lawyer long ago. This well educated man thought that he would stump the Master with his question of what do I do to inherit eternal life? But Jesus knew he already knew that answer well himself. No, the real question he should have asked was
how do I live with eternal life in view? That question was answered with the very familiar Good Samaritan story. We are to lay aside ourselves, let go of prejudices, show love and compassion for those in need, and go the extra mile in providing for them even at our expense. If we truly love God with all our passion, all our intellect, all our mortal being, and our soul, we will do just that as we live our days on earth. It was a costly answer then and it's a costly answer now. . .

So I think I know what Daddio would be saying. In fact, I can hear his voice with these words in my head. I can see his face filled with encouragement, even his hug around my shoulder with his hand lifted high. He'd say at first, "Look up, Mary! Your redemption draws nigh!" He'd continue on, "Hold fast to God's word and believe what He has said." With that he'd remind me to always lean on God's word for hope with his descendants, to boldly pray and intercede for each and every one of them. Finally, he'd say to love unconditionally, love until it hurts, love without putting one another in the judgment seat, love with all your heart. . .

That's what Daddio would say . . .

"Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins."
I Peter 4:8