The Saturday Journal: What She Did. What He Did.
I'd come home from work and the trashcan would be out of its place--left out on the carport. That was a sure sign Daddy had made a trip to the trash dump. Other days I'd come home and the bushes--they would be neatly trimmed--and the limbs and excess leaves--on the ground. He didn't like raking them up and he had to leave a little something for me to do.
On another occasion I decided I wanted to install a white fence between my house and the field. So I made the trip to Lowes--bought all the panels and the hardware. And on that following Saturday I was sitting in the grass surrounding by fence panels and tools--reading the instructions--and my Daddy drives by my house. He lived just down the road from me. I threw up my head--a Southern wave when your hands are full. He did the same. And within a few minutes he pulled his truck in my driveway. He had went a little piece down the road and turned around.
'What are you doing?' he asked with his half-crooked grin.
'I'm going to put these fence panels up' and pointed where I wanted them to go.
'Need some help?' smiling again, he asked.
Yes, I reckon I do.
In the book of Acts, there's a story about a woman named Dorcas--her Greek name, and her Hebrew name was Tabitha. She was a disciple--a follower of Jesus--a seamstress--living in the town of Joppa. She made clothing and coats for widows.
The Bible says this about Dorcas, ”This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did” (Acts 9:36)
Dorcas became sick and died. And those that were with her knew one of Jesus' disciples, Peter was close by to Joppa and sent for him to come.
I've read this story of Dorcas many times--but this time it was different. The lesson--different. God's word is like that.
Reading this again, This woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.
WHICH SHE DID.
And I thought--I can be full of faith--"good ideas" to do good works–full of kindness to others–but that’s simply not enough–there has to be a follow-thru--to do the work. Shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:18)
Not only did Dorcas have faith--she saw a need and she followed through.
And when Peter got to the home where Dorcas' body laid, the widows greeted him in tears--the Bible uses the word weeping--while showing Peter the garments and coats Dorcas had made for them.
When we leave this world–there will be people that will miss us–miss our presence–family, friends, loved ones--those we've met along the way... But will they miss the things we did for them too?
Like the widows were going to miss what Dorcas had done for them...
And going on further in her story, But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. (Acts 9:40-41)
And Dorcas' miracle spread throughout all Joppa--and many people believed in the Lord.
Now my Daddy could fix about anything--electrical, plumbing, heating and air systems--but carpentry and painting were not among his strong skills. And there was this one time Daddy was helping me take down some old pine paneling and hang up some sheetrock. I came home from work and Daddy had started without me--the sheetrock was done--ready for painting. And my house was filled with sheetrock dust--clothes in my closet were white, and even my daughter's little furry dog was sticky from the dust.
I called Daddy to thank him--scolded him slightly for doing it all by himself and for not waiting on me to get home--while never saying a word about the mess. And then I rolled up my sleeves--gave the dog a bath and started the first of many loads of laundry--and cleaning.
It was almost a year after Daddy passed and I remember it vividly--the first time I needed him to come and fix something at my house. And I cried...
And every time I look at that worn fence now--I'm reminded of all the many things my Daddy did for me, and of a fence I could have never installed by myself--nor would I have wanted to.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eyes seeth thee.
Job 42:5
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All photos @copyright Tathel Miller, unless otherwise credited to another photographer
Our Daddys were our protectors, our go to in times of trouble. I miss mine so much but I’m thankful I had the opportunity to care for him when he needed me during his last weeks.