I have been estranged from my father for over
35 years. He had a stroke when I was a child
and we never reconnected after that. I often
wondered what was the meaning of it all for
him and us. I mean why would God be so
harsh?
I would eventually learn that the mysteries of
God that play out in the course of our lives are
better understood in the context of eternity.
In the course of time I learned a lot about my
dad through stories and memories. I learned
that he was a good man, he was a dignified
man, a man in his prime and he loved his
family. While his peers went to play, he
worked, for us, and our future. But it would
turn out that God is a jealous god.
On that day, that fateful day, he fell. It marked
the beginning his path to redemption that
would take him through fire.
My dad’s life followed a classic story structure
starting from innocence to optimism, crisis,
struggle, faith, redemption, salvation. It’s good
to know that at the end of his story he found
his way home, and knowing that gives us all
peace today.
Nothing endures in life. All things of this earth
are in a constant state of change. That’s why
God implores us to love him with all our heart,
soul, and mind. Because only he endures. My
dad realized this truth deeply and made Jesus
his singular hope.
Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in
search of fine pearls, who on finding one pearl
of great value, went and sold all that he had
and bought it.
My dad was the merchant of this parable. And
when I see him again he will be in glory.
Until then, this faith that began with his
forefathers, endured through time to this
generation, will continue to the next and
beyond. Thanks be to our God, full of grace and
forever faithful.
Amen.
David Kim
