This morning I am reflecting on the life of my dad. The famous statement by Winston Churchill, 'Never, never, never give up' reminds me of my dad. One year ago today, he died. He died around noon on January 11, 2016. He died on the day that Alabama was playing for the national championship against Clemson. My dad was a diehard Auburn fan and somewhat of a trash talker. I immediately thought to myself - he can't take seeing Alabama win another national championship. Ironically when I went to the newsstand on Wednesday, January 13, to buy a paper that would have his obituary printed in it, the Birmingham News was filled with articles about Alabama winning the National Championship against Clemson. As an Alabama fan, it was a win-win for me. I bought several papers and got what I considered a 2 for 1.
However, that is not what is on my mind this morning. After my dad's death, I brought home the contents of the bottom drawer of his dresser. It contained letters, cards, pictures, all kinds of memorabilia that were important to him. Some people have a whole house of remembrances; he had one drawer. My dad was a minimalist. While looking through the contents of this drawer, I found a testimony he had given at Roebuck Park Baptist Church on March 14, 1992. It was testimony of God's provision for him and my mom during a time when he had been forced to close his business, Universal Interiors, a flooring company he had owned and operated for over 25 years. Below is the testimony that he gave.
On Friday, January 5, 1990, I closed the doors to a business I had been in for 26 years. On Monday morning, I went back to the office to do those things you have to do when you have a business failure. I then realized for the first time in over 41 years, I did not have a job. I was depressed, dejected and felt a great sense of failure. I called the church office to see if I could talk to Bro. Doug, Betty Plyman sensed a need for me to talk to him and in a few minutes times we had met to talk it over.
I cannot remember what we said but he was sympathetic and gave me some assurance of what could be done. I had acquired a huge money debt during the time I owned the business. I had good years and made money and bad years and did not. I supplemented the bad years with loans of money I acquired by personal guarantee of property I owned, namely the business property or my home. I had always felt through the tough years that I would make it; but after my banker turned down the financial plan to carry on the business I was convinced that it was over.
The toughest thing I ever had to do was to sit down with Jerry and tell her about it. Of course, she was crushed and asked me the question, why? We cried together and had prayer. She got a job and I began looking. When you're 60 and ugly, it is real hard to find a good paying job. I was determined not to get back into the business I knew the best. To be honest, I was just ticked off at it. Steve Walker connected me to a man in the office supply business and I started back to work March 1. In May, Amy, my youngest daughter got married. You can imagine what she was doing through during all of this, as well as the rest of the family.
On May 16, I had open heart surgery, five big ones. The good Lord saw fit to let me stay around for a while. I shall never forget the feeling of His power with me, and I know it was due to you good folks, my family and others who were praying for my recovery. I recovered and reloaded. Rich Owens, my good buddy never knew the type of business I was in. He got his fireman friend to give me a job in the business I knew best. On July 5, I began. Being on straight commission, I had good and bad months, so I had to supplement my regular work and job with other part-time work. I also forgot to tell you that Sherry Farrow got Jerry a job at O'Neal Steel that began on January 15. She saw that we ate and the medical insurance Jerry had through O'Neal paid all of my hospital and doctor bills. Aren't wives great!! Anyway, to cut all of this down, we are now making it. Not steak yet, just hamburger - and all the way God has been there. You may have second thoughts about tithing the money that your friends give you or money that comes in unexpectedly, or money you can get from your cash value life insurance. Jim Mikul, my insurance man, has been so good to get what we needed so quickly.
Jerry and I were married in 1955 and returning back to God 10% of the money He supplied was no problem. I confess to you, not one time have we cheated him out of a tithe, during all of this.
If I have learned one thing, it is this - it is all His. Maybe this is why I have had my trouble. I did not use the other 90% he supplied wisely. One thing the Lord has shown me and shown me well, is that He doesn't need the money He gives. He just wants us. I thought I loved Him before January 5, 1990. My love for Him then cannot be compared to the Love I have for Him this morning.
In this envelope is my tithe to God plus a mission gift. Not long from now, it will be double or more as it was before!
As I read this testimony, I was overwhelmed with the man God had given me to be my father. His commitment to the Lord in the area of his finances was a testimony that continued until his death last year. My dad spent the last 25 years of his life paying back all the money that he owed when he shut down his business. He could have easily declared bankruptcy but he did not believe that was what God wanted him to do. About 2 years before his death, he had paid back all the money he owed. During that time, he never stopped giving his tithe to his local church. In addition to that he supported many other organizations. I spent weeks after his death calling and having his name removed from organizations he had supported over the years.
Several years ago I was reading Psalm 37. When I got to verse 23, I stopped and read it over and over. This was the testimony of my dad's life. At that time, I wrote the words 'my dad' in my Bible beside these verses.
The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall,
for the Lord upholds him with his hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be a blessing.
Psalms 37: 23-26
