LEGACY OF THE CROSS

Greetings my friends! Hope this summer has been spectacular for all of you. I wanted to share with you all my heart as I ponder on the legacy of the cross through fathers. Here is a personal note to my own daddy. Hope it inspires and blesses!

LEGACY OF THE CROSS 

Through My Father:   Rev. Paul F. Gray

Father’s Day 2012

   To many, the cross represents death. Obviously this is correct---but the cross is pointing! The Cross points to life beyond what we could ever imagine. When  the Lord Jesus’ died on the Cross of Calvary, there came a ‘gushing-out’ of much power and victory. In His death, souls were freed (even at that litteral  moment-Lu. 23:43); bodies healed, families restored and hope gained. 

   Not turning to the left or the right, but going forward carrying His cross our Lord did this for us, for our salvation and an example for all to live by.  In so much, as we all were once little children we had to learn by seeing as well as feeling and hearing.  Children need a continual  reminder on how to live in every capacity. 

   I know without a fact, that my walk with the Lord has been constant and steadfast for all my 47 years of life. The reason being is because I was taught by a shining example of my Lord through my own earthly father--Rev. Paul F. Gray. 

  As I ponder on my life as a child, one major example that stands out the most is how my daddy exhibited a life of sacrifice for his entire family. He sacrificed his pride, his own luxeries and desires so that we may have what we needed and yes even what we wanted. My extra large brown eyes would peer at him to watch His reactions, when life would get quite difficult. This  is when  I would see my father STAND! He may have been shaking on the inside but I never saw it. Whenever I needed to pour out my heart, my daddy was never too busy not to listen.  I loved how my dad protected not only my brother and I, but our mother. It brought deep comfort when he would shower mom with love. 

   My father’s heart would fill our own hearts with God’s Word continually. Being blessed to be a pastor’s kid, I actually looked forward going to church to hear MY daddy preach. I would be at the edge of my seat with the stories he would share and want to hide under the pew when I was the topic in his illustrations. It was always quite obvious that my father’s world was his family. 

   So, here I am today...in love with Jesus; leaning on Him as I face some of life’s challenges. Knowing with full confidence that my HEAVENLY FATHER will always be there regardless! He has and will  continue to provide, protect, comfort, strengthen and even give me treats (fulfilling my desires).  “He will never leave me, nor forsake me..” (Heb. 13:5) 

    Happy Father’s Day daddy! I sure love you and thank you so much for living the LEGACY OF THE CROSS!

    Your Daughter, 

                             Daneille Le Anna Gray Snowden

Father-n-daughter/wedding 1988 (in the shadow  is mama).

Father-n-daughter/baby yrs. 1965

Toon by Rev. Paul F. Gray (he sure lived this out).