Even after all these years, he remains a key influence.
He never drew attention to himself. He lived in an understated way. He found contentment doing what he needed to do and then returning to the comfort of his home and the reassurance of his allotment. His consistency and diligence becomes all the more remarkable as I grow older with my family.
How he coped as his little children became irksome adolescents, how he managed when growing chasm of dissent between two of his closest friends, how he worked hard for over two decades while finances remained precarious and maintained an equilibrium through it all, is an example. An outstanding example of how faith in Christ enabled him to be a faithful man. He never had to say it in words, his actions did all the talking for him.
I am not deifying him. He had faults, he never asked to be anyone’s hero. He probably had his reasons. Nevertheless there was his son looking on as a child and having a template when he entered adulthood. When I got married his example wasn’t a shadow that hung over me. It was a presence that reminded me that to get this marriage and fatherhood thing right, I had to look to the example of the Faithful One.
Today he celebrates another remarkable birthday. I am so grateful to God for giving me such a role model. I hope He will sustain him and his legacy for generations to come.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 