I can honestly think of no better dad then my own, and I don’t just say that to say it. Without a shadow of a doubt, he would give his life for any one of us. His life is a daily sacrifice, as evidenced by the choices he makes. Dad continues to go strong utilizing every minute the Lord has given him.
He’s had to make hard decisions over the years. I am grateful beyond words for his courage to make this decisions. Just the other day, a mom was sharing with me the detrimental effects that a worldly avenue had on their son, and it saddened me greatly. Oh, how grateful I am for my parents’ wisdom in protecting my heart and the hearts of my brothers and sisters. Each one of my siblings would affirm what I am saying, and it’s not because I have been isolated and don’t know any better. No, I wasn’t isolated, only protected.
Dad wants God’s best for each of our lives. I have seen my daddy many times on his knees, crying out to the Lord for wisdom and guidance as he leads this family. For each of my brothers’ courtships, Dad has been there when they have needed his advice or counsel. If we are struggling in an area, he willingly sets aside whatever project he is working on to listen and encourage.
With the Moody books, he and Mom are my biggest support team. Dad has given my brothers the vision of purchasing their homes debt-free, and Nathan and Christopher are profoundly grateful for his guidance. The other brothers are working toward that goal now too. My sister-in-laws could also tell you how grateful they are for the leadership Dad gave to their husbands. Dad has felt strongly the Lord’s direction on ITonRamp.com, and we have been thrilled to see the positive feedback from those participating in the first course. Leading our family is very challenging, and I’m so grateful that my Dad is seeking to follow the Lord Jesus in all we do.
A little known fact: Dad is an incredible photographer. The one below depicts a man, watching, waiting and hoping he will receive some mail from the States. It can be very lonely when serving overseas. It was probably his one bright spot to his day.
Another little known fact is Dad used to run marathons. He also loved to fly, but he gave it all up to spend time with his family and focus on the priorities the Lord gave him. As he says now, one day, he will fly again.
So, yes, my dad is amazing and mirrors to me what a true soldier of the Lord Jesus is.
Love,
Sarah
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
yes you are very blessed and have wonderful dad
Thank you, Sarah, for this tribute to your dad! I just want to add another character quality that my family has noticed in each of the conversations and the emails exchanges we have had with him: Kindness! He is a really kind and gracious man. I think I am correct in saying that his kindness makes you want to be around him and maybe could be another reason that you and your brothers are so content to remain at home as adults. He doesn’t seem to lead with any anger or harshness but with kindness and conviction. Of course, we don’t know him well at all but this our initial impression of him.
Wow, what a great post Sarah! What an encouragement to others to look up to and honor their Fathers!!
You children are very fortunate.
That was beautiful Sarah. Thank you all for sharing your dad with the rest of us who glean from his and your mom’s God given (and sought) wisdom!
A kind, loving, sweet tribute to your dad, and we don’t have to be there to know he was deeply blessed by it! You are blessed to have such a wise, caring, sincere father. I like seeing how he keeps looking to God and trusting Him even in the hardest, most trying times!
Our Father’s Day celebration was quiet, but Dad enjoyed it that way!
Happy Father’s Day, Mr. Maxwell! You are a blessed blessing.
God bless! Rebecca K.
Sarah, that it a GREAT post. You have marvelous ideas. I think those are really cool black-and-white photos. I believe that a soldier’s life is lonley…thank the Lord that your dad had Him with him during that time.
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Hi Katy,
Actually, I was lost then. I was saved about three years later. I wish I had known the Lord as He would have saved me a lot of grief.
Steve
What a lovely tribute, Sarah. It’s fun to see photos of your dad and family when everyone was younger — somehow it makes your family seem more real to those of us who have never met you in person. Love the photo of your dad with Nathan (is it Nathan?) in the back pack. It’s interesting to know that he used to run marathons. Now he’s running marathons of a different kind for the Lord! I love that!
Thanks for the beautiful post, Sarah. Blessings to you for being such a faithful daughter in so many ways.
What is a reversal baby?
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We had surgically cut off having more children after the first three due to Teri’s depression. Later the Lord convicted us it wasn’t our right to do that and so we had it reversed. The Lord then gave us five more children. We rejoice in His mercy and grace.
Steve
Well you’ve certainly given me lots to think about over the years and I’ve been blessed to have you as an example of a how a Christian man leads his family. Don’t get me wrong – I love my own father very much and respect and honour him; we girls had the best upbringing girls could have even though we were only “culturally” christian. I am raising my children with many of his examples, but there are some things that I am definately doing different. One of the main things I will do different is I will not allow my son to marry a christian woman unless he is of sufficient means that he can allow his wife to stay at home and I will not let my daughter marry any christian man that cannot allow her to stay at home if she so choses.
I am teary-eyed! What a beautiful post and what a blessed family to have such a godly father and husband for a leader and shepherd.
I love to hear about what your family is like today, but I am especially encouraged when I read about your life when you were new Christians and when your children were all much younger. It is fascinating and encouraging to those of us who are new in our Christian walk with the convictions the Lord has laid upon our hearts.
Thank you for the post. it touched my heart and brought back memories of my earthly Dad who died three years ago. My father’s love and protection was unconditional. He served in the navy during WW11, and was proud to call himself an American. My Mom, (who is 88) were married for 63 years. We lived the Christian life in everything we did. My Dad’s example and faith was rewarded by the eternal life he has in heaven with our Savior. There are so many people that do/did not have the wonderful upbringing and support we had. Gratefully WE ALL by grace through faith have our #1 Father who will reign forever and ever.
Without a doubt, Mr Maxwell, your sacrifices and example of Christian love lives on in your children. God Bless you!
Wonderful and touching post. It is nice to hear the history of your father and how your family grew with faith.
What a special tribute for a special Dad! Thank you for sharing this, Sarah. ~ I miss my precious Daddy so much, but rejoice knowing he is in Heaven with Jesus, and I WILL see him again one day!
Love, Patti M. 🙂
Every day you hear of dads that are not as they should be and it’s easy to forget that there are Christian men that we will never know their names or meet them but they are being faithful in serving their God and their families and what God has called them to do, God bless all the faithful men that are trying to walk with God in this arena. Many unsung heroes out there! We are thankful!