Our mom and dad showed us Christ’s love by helping others, no matter their situation. Our house was always busy since there were four kids. But we always seemed to have some people in our home who needed a helping hand.
Early in their marriage, our parents chose to reach out to others and give them a second chance. They began by bringing kids from the local children’s home to our house for Christmas. We certainly didn’t have a great deal by the world’s standards but we had a lot of love in our family. They gave these kids some presents and let them play on the farm and fish in our pond. The children loved it.
As time passed, they helped other kids in the community. Some were relatives, others were young adults who struggled with drugs or bad decisions. They even took in short-term foster children until a longer-term home could be found.
Our parents set rules and expectations for these kids, to teach them responsibility and to show how the world works. But they were always there with a listening ear, even at 2:00 am. They provided a place for the kids to talk freely. They laughed and loved them unconditionally. They showed forgiveness. They gave them a second and even a third chance at life.
They chose not to receive financial support for this. They were part of a close community and church, as well as an extended family. The vegetable gardens, cows and chickens on the farm were the source of most of our food. As we watched things grow, they would talk about God’s creation and say, “I see God in nature.” Lots of time was spent sitting and talking on the front porch.
More than anything, our mom and dad modeled Christ’s love, to these wayward kids and to each one of us. One child copied a quote that showed what our parents tried to instill in everyone:
“No one can go back and make a brand new start. But anyone can start from here and make a brand new end”
Our parents are gone now, but the Christian faith they lived out every day lives on in each of us, and even in our own children and grandchildren. Their open home and loving hearts created a wonderful Christian legacy for several generations.
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