Reverend Lester Duaine Allen or/ Reverend Retsel Eniaud Nella, PhDMy Precious Baby Daughter, Sarah Beth, sent this note to me years ago… today it fits “Father’s Day!”
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Sunday, June 21, 2009 at 8:09pm |
Dear Pops.
I apologize that this is coming to you late. There is a list of excuses but none good enough to name so I will simply say I’m sorry. I am writing this the day before your birthday— fully aware that you will not receive it until much after your actual birthday; there is so much that I want to tell you and to thank you for, but I will start by saying that I love you very much. I know that children only understand so much about life from their little perspective and that we continually grow and learn more as the years go on. As a child, I could have never understood as much as I do now, in order to adequately thank you for who you are. I remember when I was younger how we would always have people in our home that were not related to us, but that were always welcomed in by you and the rest of us. But, I regret to say that I had a negative attitude about it at times… Thinking to myself, “do they have to stay for dinner?” “They are always here?” I realize now it was because I did not understand it, then. I knew you were friendly, and I even appreciated that, but how people were drawn to you and you to them is something I never fully understood until now. The more I study the life of Jesus, the more I grow to appreciate who you are. You are not a respecter of persons. You love people as if they are the only one in the world, from the shut-in widow to the rich banker downtown. You LOVE people, and because of that People love you!
What I am now realizing is that Jesus did similar things when he was on earth. Always eating with the ones others wouldn’t, and making friends of the neighbors. Recently we had a missionary woman come and speak to us from China. She shared many things, but one thing I will never forget was her opinion on us sending missionaries to China. She said what she couldn’t understand was that America sends missionaries to China, vet they do not know their own neighbor’s name. “How is this?” she asks. The more I think of that, the more I realize that you get it. You understand the heart of a missionary and you are one. For that revelation, I want to say Thank you. Thank you for being not only an incredible father figure, but for being a wonderful example of a missionary to the lost and broken around you. I believe I can now say I know you better than I ever did before and I’ve never been farther away from you for longer in my life— amazing huh!? All that said, I wish you to know how much I appreciate you and thank the Lord for you. Without you and Mom, I would not be here. If I were not here, I am not sure who would go where I am going to go. Who would do what I am going to do? Who will reach the ones I have been called to reach? In other words, your life is impacting numerous other lives, not only from your personal contact but also from the lives of your children as well— what an amazing impact! Be encouraged your purpose is great and you have so much more to give. Until the day we reach heaven we are here for a reason… you are where you are right now for a reason! Never stop growing and learning…There is always more! Don’t get too comfortable!
With oodles of love,
Sarah Beth
