God at Work - Shari Miller - A Father to the Fatherless

May 1, 1969, was the day my dad died and went to be with Jesus.  It will be 50 years on May 1, 2019.  My dad, Marlin, died of colon cancer at the age of 55 years young.  I was 8 years old when my dad went to be with his Lord and Savior.  I remember the day he died; I saw my mom crying at the kitchen table.  My sister, Marilyn, told me “daddy went to be with Jesus”.  I remember thinking it’s all ok and her words were very, very comforting to me.  I still have all the handmade sympathy cards my 2nd grade class made for me.

I don’t remember a lot about my dad but I do have fond memories of going on the paper route with him.  My dad delivered the St. Paul Pioneer Press papers to the paper route drivers.  I would go along with him on his route.  He would occasionally buy me ice-cream cones, M&M’s and other treats. On one of the roads in Owatonna he would drive especially fast down this hill. It was so much fun!! Another street in town was called Barney Street.  My dad told me that Barney from the Flintstones lived on that street.  I totally believed him!!!

My heavenly Father has been so faithful to me over the years.  This verse is so true:  “A Father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy dwelling.”  Psalm 68:5. My mom, siblings and I never lacked for anything; God always provided for us.

I am the youngest of six siblings, the oldest three siblings were in college when my dad died and the other two were in high school.  My mom and I had a super close relationship. I had my five siblings looking out for me, wonderful relatives and a wonderful neighborhood with lots of friends.  I have so many great memories growing up in our neighborhood in Owatonna, sliding down Regal’s hill in the wintertime, walking to the penny candy store at the end of our block, bike riding, playing “horse” basketball and just playing outside until dark!
 
We attended First Baptist Church in Owatonna.  I have so many great memories of Sunday School and Bible School.  We learned songs like Jesus Loves Me, Do Lord, Heavenly Sunshine, This Little Light of Mine and so many others.  My parents made sure we attended Sunday School and church every Sunday as well as Vacation Bible School in the summer.  My dad loved Jesus and was very active in church.  We sang the old hymns, but How Great Thou Art was not in the hymnal. My dad was the one who suggested it be put in the hymnal, so it was pasted in the back of each hymnal.  I wish I had a copy of that old hymnal.My dad was super outgoing, very talkative and very funny.  My sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles have told me a lot of funny stories about his joking around.  My mom was quiet and reserved, more serious, and my dad was a jokester, more emotional.

Pastor Dave, my husband David’s dad, became the pastor of First Baptist Church in 1975.  I met David’s dad and most of his family before I met David! Pastor Denny’s preaching reminds me of Pastor Dave’s.  They were both very much on fire for God and had spot-on Bible teaching! David’s dad became like a second father to me; he was very, very special to me.
I hope this letter brings encouragement, especially to anyone who may be going through a very tough time.  Please know that our Lord is truly faithful and loves each one of us so much!!
I have found Jesus to be my rock and my steady anchor for life.

Hebrews 13:8
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”

Psalm 18:2
“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my Savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.  He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.”
Almighty God
There is a river, there is a refuge for all who call in need of help. There is a river a holy place where the Most High dwells.
Almighty God is our fortress, He is with us, God is with us. There is a river, it’s overflowing, the presence of our Lord is here, there is a river, our joy will rise as we draw near…

God bless you,
Shari Miller