Expect the Best ...

A few nights ago, I dreamt of my dad.

He stood with his arms crossed. Faded plaid shirt, expertly cuffed up to his biceps in military fashion.

And he was smiling.

He didn't say anything. He just smiled.

Dad's been gone for many years now. And, just like my siblings, I miss him every day.

Dad had many stories to tell and his penmanship was unique with it's distinct loops and lines. So in the early '90's I bought him a journal. It has an eagle on the front with Isaiah 40:31 printed at the bottom. I asked him to use some of those long Minnesota winter days to record his stories. Time passed and I forgot about the journal and my request.

Until my sibs and I were together to say our goodbyes.

There sat the journal. I picked it up, excited to see what treasure it held. And the words my dad penned, I imagine with a grin on his face, were:

Expect the best, prepare for the worst.

That was it. No stories.

Dad was highly opinionated and we didn't always agree. I never argued with my dad over our differences. I respected the man even when we were miles apart in our view of stuff. Maddening? Oh, sometimes it was. But we agreed on the stuff that mattered most.

God is holy.

The American flag is to be cherished. 

Respect the men and women of our armed forces.

And the Stranger of Galilee is our Savior.

I often think about what kind of conversations Dad and I would have if he were here to see the political and social climate of today ... I have to say I'm glad he isn't here to see it all. These days it's an uphill climb to expect the best.

Dad's final note of advice for me is biblical. God has told us to think on what is true, honest, and just (expect the best). He has also said to be as wise as a serpent (prepare for the worst).

The pain of goodbye and the longing to get one more hug lingers. I'd love to smell his aftershave and drink a cup of black coffee with him one more time. As much as I miss my dad's smile, I wouldn't want him to trade eternity with Jesus for another day on earth.

So here's the plan for today and every day, until I see my dad's smile and my Jesus -- I will expect the best but prepare for the worst. And as I live life, I think I'll write things down for my grandkids to read should Jesus tarry.

I feel a story coming on ...