Always There...

On Friday evening, 4th June, my Dad passed away. As I have reflected on his life, one phrase has struck me - 'always there...', and what follows is my further reflection and meditation on those words as they relate to Dad. I leave them with you as a testament to his impact on my life and those of others.

Always There

Always there: or so it seemed – at work,

extra shifts and overtime, to ensure that we had the life he wanted for us; a good education, a good holiday, a good home.

Always there: or so it seemed – in the chair,

in the corner; before work, after work, sleeping off the excesses in front of the TV – but don’t turn it off, ‘cos “I was watching that!”

Always there: or so it seemed – at Chapel,

care-taking, setting the heating; Property Committee and Trustees’ Meeting; making sure all was in hand for worship; preaching to hundreds, and to just two.

Always there: or so it seemed – a Father’s eye and a Father’s heart,

offering advice and proffering discipline, yet always with good intention and with that twinkle; always willing to help – as long as it didn’t cost him too much (he was a Yorkshireman, after all 😉).

Always there...

but the work clothes have been hung up; the pulpit vacated, the chapel closed;

and the chair, sitting in the corner, is empty now.

But he’s always there:

glimpsed in a mirror or a memory;

in hearts loved and loving;

in minds stretched and informed;

in lives enabled and transformed;

in love remembered and rejoiced over;

in stories told with laughter and tears.

In his Saviour’s presence, in the place prepared:

Always there…