Their Father's Name

“What’s their Father’s name?”
I never knew what their Father’s name was, I was focused on my friend. I knew you would ask the question and despite my annoyance there was a certain amount of peace that came in knowing you were stepping in.
None of my friends had Dad’s like mine.  Most of them had a healthy fear of you – which I liked and didn’t let on that really behind the stern look and growly voice there was always a twinkle in the eyes we share.  They never got close enough to see and I liked that too.
Their Father’s name didn’t carry the honor and respect mine did and it wasn’t so much for his name but Our Father’s name that he carried in his heart and in the cross around his neck and in his cool red change purse.
Their Father’s didn’t laugh like mine or dance and jingle like mine either.  I didn’t hear any stories from their Dad’s that were timeless and true.  Fathers mean family and mine is big and gentle, fiercely loving, and my constant quiet strength.
None else had a Dad that were taller than our doors and loved to play on the floor.  I have a love of driving and hunting and fishing and big red trucks with just one seat for six.  My seat was the best even though it was near ‘the pits’ because it was warm, safe and smelled good even after cutting wood and catching salamanders all afternoon.
I have grown and I married a man, after I knew ‘his Father’s name’ so you would know it too.  The Father’s name that was most important – he shares with you.  He is a good Dad and asks our kids often the same questions you asked of me.  Our Father has taught us well and we continue to learn more about Him as we watch you walk.
I love to sing and songs mean the world to me.  Short little jingles, favorite hymns, Psalms and nursery rhymes.  “I love to tell the story.” “Amazing Grace” “Gum on your bed post”.  “Girls brush your pearls”  “Little house on the prairie”  Thank you for all the songs you put in my heart and encouraging me to sing.
“What’s my Father’s Name?”  Family.  Respect. Peace. Comfort.  Quiet. Provider. Truth.  Dad.
David Warren Hotchkiss – I share him because he is good enough too

Peace

Rest Well – It is Well – Rest in Peace

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Being a Mom and Wife are my favorite jobs –chosen career – highest calling.  It isn’t anything like what I dreamed it would be.
Sunny days, veggies growing, children growing healthy and strong, time passing slow- like cool evenings spent rocking sleeping babies.  Family vacations with all your children happy and traveling well. Plenty of food, time and money for fun, necessities and charity.  Always a home full of laughter and love.  Any difficulty would be small and happily cared for by my Mother’s kiss and kind words. Kind encouraging music plays softly in the background morning noon and night.  Chores are always done as a team, dinner is three course and on time, Sunday is all about God and family.  A family that prayed together stays together. Perfectly peaceful.

I have experienced fleeting moments like this dream in my life, but more often than not my days were like the ones my “Mama told me about”.  Then there were some months – years like no one ever dreams.  Life threatening illness, financial struggles, deteriorating home, job instability, relational stress, character crisis, children with big questions, death of child, parent and grandparents, spiritual battles at church, home, and within. We all have experience a battle for our peaceful home.  Battles that are visible to all and Battles within ourselves and the hearts and minds of our family – loss, lies, fear, worry, infidelity, hurt, idols, brokenness.

Ecclesiastes tells us there is a time for War and a time for peace.  Jesus warned his disciples that there would be trouble in this world in John 16:33.  We see evidence of the battles all around us and within us.  We have heard the adage “When Mama ain’t happy, aint no one happy” or “Happy wife, happy life.”  There is a lot of pressure and a lot of clout in those phrases.
HOW do we KEEP THE PEACE?  The Bible gives us the wisdom we need for planting peace in our homes. James 3

PRAY continuously – for wisdom, our husbands, children, church, community, schools, teachers etc.
EXAMINE ourselves – heart, soul, mind – tone, priorities, Who is king of our heart?  Hubby, Self, Job, Children or God?  Confess our sin and fill our hearts and mind with truth and wisdom so peace and joy will quickly follow.
ADJUST our thoughts – yield our will/goals/lists - set our mind on things above – whatever Philippians 4:4-9
COMMIT to Memorizing Scripture – spiritual hymns, songs, scripture – Bible App or marker, journal, note cards
EVALUATE our sincerity -the tone in our home moment by moment

Bottom line is – The Peace that passes understanding is a gift from God, given as we trust in Him and His Truth.  Then joy bubbles up when we rest in His Peace.  There are many verses about peace and most have joy and truth included.  All elude to the gift they are from God, Fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5).  Peace is something that starts from within and shows up in how we talk and walk.  Peacemakers are so closely attuned to God that they are called His children (matthew 5).  Isn’t that what we want for our children as well? Children learn by watching us. Is that what they see in us? Peace is also part of the armor (Ephesians 6) we wear to each of these battles we face. Peace helps us to be sure footed and quick, regardless of our weakness we would be strong in Christ to have peace amidst the minefield of life.

Prince of Peace is our God’s name (Is 9:6).  We are reminded in 1 Corinthians 14:33 that God is not a god of disorder but Peace and all His congregation/Family would exude peace as well.  Take some time to find a verse or two that you can plant in your heart so when you return to your family you can sow some rows of peace.