By David Faust
[Editor’s Note: Dave Faust wrote the following article because this coming Sunday is Father’s Day. His series on the Fruit of the Spirit will resume next week.]
My dad died 14 years ago, but his influence lives on. Like Abel, “by faith [he] still speaks, even though he is dead” (Hebrews 11:4).
I have a couple of old Bibles that belonged to him. They stir fond memories when I handle their leather covers and see Dad’s handwritten notes penciled in the margins.
My father didn’t go to college, but he was a smart, hard-working, principled man who traveled widely and made it a habit to read the Bible through each year. What he lacked in formal education, he made up for in godly common sense. His conversations were sprinkled with homespun expressions and practical wisdom gained from a lifetime of interacting with people and running a family farm.
Church members trusted his judgment (he served as an elder for decades), and neighbors relied on his know-how. If you wanted to buy a tractor, fix a fence, repair a roof, or sell some livestock, Dad knew who to call. Or he would drive over to your house and help you himself.
Quiet Influence
Dad was friendly and talkative, but he didn’t enjoy public speaking. He taught Bible classes at church, but he didn’t consider himself a preacher.
Like others in the Silent Generation, he found it difficult to show emotion, and he avoided talking about sensitive topics. My brothers and I knew he cared about us, but he seldom said, “I love you.” He expressed love with his actions, but rarely with his lips. If I said, “I love you, Dad,” he would say, “Back at ya!”
Dad’s faith ran deep, but he didn’t like complicated theological arguments and fancy sermons. His down-to-earth, plainspoken approach reminds me of Ecclesiastes 5:2, which says, “God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few” (New International Version). The Lord warned us not to be like the hypocrites who say long, flowery prayers and try to impress God “because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). For Dad, as for Jesus, a simple “yes” or “no” usually would suffice (see Matthew 5:37).
Communicating a Lot Without Saying a Lot
Dad could get a message across with a nod of his head, a disapproving frown, a mischievous grin, a humorous glimmer in his eye, or a wordless grunt. One of his favorite expressions was “Uh-huh.” He used that phrase in a wide variety of situations.
“Dad, would you like another piece of pie?” His response: “Uh-huh.”
“Dad, I’m buying a car. Will you go along and help me negotiate?” “Uh-huh.”
“Candy and I would be honored if you would say a prayer in our wedding ceremony. Will you do that?” His equally unemotional response: “Uh-huh.”
On the night he died, hospice workers told us the time was drawing near. I knelt by his bedside and read the 23rd Psalm, ending with the verse that says God’s goodness and mercy will follow us all the days of our lives, and we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
“Dad,” I said as tears welled up in my eyes, “you still believe that, right? You know the Lord is your shepherd?”
He nodded slowly and said, “Uh-huh.”
That was the last thing I heard him say.
And it was enough.
Next Week: The Fruit of the Spirit is . . . GENTLENESS.
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
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