Daddy’s Park Bench

There were several park benches placed sporadically around my parent’s farm. My dad loved to sit at them and look across the country side. The land in the area of North Central Iowa that I grew up in was primarily flat. Sitting on one of those benches, you could see as far away as ten miles. Everywhere you looked there were corn or soybean fields, a red barn and farm house. My dad could point at each one and tell you who lived there. I could sit there with him for a long time and just listen to the birds sing and smell the fresh air. We never talked much; we just enjoyed each other’s company. There was no need for headphones and music playing. God’s creation was a symphony all around us. In the summertime, the smell of fresh-cut alfalfa hay perfumed the air. In the fall, the northern breeze was cool, and the sound of combines bringing in the harvest was off in the distance. In winter, the wind was sharp, and the snow was deep. It was amazingly quiet. In the spring, the sound of tractors going up the road and the aroma of freshly-turned soil filled the air. Regardless of the season, it was always peaceful.

Sometimes when the pressures of life seem to be closing in on me, I think of those days sitting beside my dad on his park bench. My heart aches for “just one more day” to sit there with him. Then, I remember I am not alone, I am never alone. Jesus promised, “…I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) 

My earthly father could only be with me occasionally. But my heavenly Father lives in me. He gave me His Holy Spirit to be my guide, my comfort, my peace, and wisdom without measure.
“He said to His disciples, “The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)
We need only to listen to a news cast for a few minutes to realize that we, the Church, need to get busy. Jesus is the only answer this world needs. And it is our job to show Him to them. We are here on this planet by divine appointment, and we have an assignment. Our methods may vary from each other, but our message is the same. When you need rest, sit for a moment with our heavenly Father. Breathe His Word into your soul and into your spirit. Then, begin again.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm, steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord), knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile (it is never wasted or to no purpose).”
(1 Corinthians 15:58)