My daddy didn’t turn his life over to God until his last few weeks of life. He did get baptized, and started going to church with my mother. I remember that she had prayed for his salvation for most of my life, and God honored her prayers. The Lord didn’t answer her prayers until long after I had left home, but I remember how fervent her prayers were, and how much she loved him.

Another thing that I  remember about my daddy that has stayed with me, is that he loved us unconditionally. He worked hard to provide for us, yet sometimes we did face challenges that seemed insurmountable. I never had to worry about Daddy abandoning us, because he was faithful. He made mistakes along the way, but all in all he always found a way to be a strong presence in our lives.

It’s not always easy to follow through on things, if you don’t have good role models, and such was the case with Daddy. Without going into the details that really don’t matter at this point, he spent his lifetime, learning how to be a good father to us. He instilled lessons that I live by, today. He never quit trying to be a good father to us, and against all of the obstacles that tried to hinder him from victory, he was willing to keep working at it.

I learned to have the tenacity to keep moving forward even when it seemed that I wanted to give up. “I may be a tired fighter, but never will I be a quitter,” he’d say.

When Daddy was home, I usually was sitting with him to watch his favorite shows on TV. Things like, “Gunsmoke,” and “The Big Valley,” among others. All I ever wanted from him was for him to be living for God, so my prayers were answered. It didn’t happen when I was living at home, but the key point is that it did happen. God’s forgiveness reaches all who are willing to receive it. The following poem was written anonymously, but the message it sends is appropriate for all who want to live for God.

I am a Soldier

I am a soldier in the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Scripture is my code of conduct.
Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare.

I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience,
tried by adversity and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I am enlisted for eternity.
I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or pushed out.
I am faithful, reliable, capable and dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there. I am a soldier.

I am not a baby. I do not need to be pampered, petted,
primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up. I am a soldier.
No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me.
I am a soldier. I am not a wimp. I am in place, saluting my King,
obeying His orders, praising His name and building His kingdom!
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards or candy, or give
me handouts. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or
catered to. I am committed. I cannot have my feelings hurt bad
enough to turn me around. I cannot be discouraged enough to
turn me aside. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing. If I end up with nothing,
I will still come out ahead. I will win. My God has and will continue to supply all of my need.
I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ.
The devil cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me. Weather cannot weary me.
Sickness cannot stop me. Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me. Governments
cannot silence me, and hell cannot handle me. I am a soldier.

Even death cannot destroy me. For when my Commander calls me from His battlefield,
He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with Him.
I am a soldier in the army, and I’m marching claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around.

I am a soldier, marching heaven-bound.
Here I Stand! Will you stand with me?

 unknown author

Seen this in 1997, the original by unknown author – variations abound that have changed the wording to read rapture in specific place among other subtle word change – which took the original and made it into something much weaker. This was read on Sun AM TV cable station that many years back, and that online preacher did not read the original

Follow this week’s Lattereign to Give Honor to the Men of God.