My dad was a lifelong Southern Baptist. He was a deacon in the Baptist Church, and at least two of his pastors wrote of him in their books; their words were about how he had inspired their own spiritual journeys.
One of his tasks the last year of his life was to read the Koran in its entirety. He could no longer easily hold a book, so he sat at his computer each morning and read chapters from the Koran, in addition to the Bible, as part of his morning discipline. Daddy was curious and wanted to understand folks who believed differently from him, so he read and he listened.
Daddy was a clinical psychologist, spending much of his professional career serving veterans as Chief of Psychological Services at Veterans Hospital in Dallas. A president of Texas Psychological Association, he was nationally respected.
Daddy led an effort in Texas to require that psychologists be accredited. Before this effort, any person could simply claim to be a psychologist and take clients, whether they had had proper preparation and training, or not. He had seen the deep damage that poorly educated therapists could inflict on those who were the most vulnerable, and he was an instrument of change.
In this election season, I've been wanting to talk with my dad. As both a Christian and a psychologist, he always had interesting insights into the people who served in government and those who put themselves forth as candidates. He had a gift of wisdom that clarified.
I've wondered what he would say about Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump. I know that he would have been respectful, because that was a value he held. Daddy would have had some sage insights about their personal motivations. He would have helped me understand the anger and fear of the American public, and would have offered me wise counsel about how I could be an instrument of God's reconciliation and peace.
In this season of All Saints, I am especially aware of the prayers in heaven of all of those we love and see no longer. I have a keen sense of my dad's prayers for all of us. That includes his prayers for Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton. A veteran of World War II, I know how much he loved our country.
When I voted last week, as I made my selections, I thought of my dad. I miss him so much. I'm grateful he's praying.
Daddy was a clinical psychologist, spending much of his professional career serving veterans as Chief of Psychological Services at Veterans Hospital in Dallas. A president of Texas Psychological Association, he was nationally respected.
Daddy led an effort in Texas to require that psychologists be accredited. Before this effort, any person could simply claim to be a psychologist and take clients, whether they had had proper preparation and training, or not. He had seen the deep damage that poorly educated therapists could inflict on those who were the most vulnerable, and he was an instrument of change.
In this election season, I've been wanting to talk with my dad. As both a Christian and a psychologist, he always had interesting insights into the people who served in government and those who put themselves forth as candidates. He had a gift of wisdom that clarified.
I've wondered what he would say about Secretary Clinton and Mr. Trump. I know that he would have been respectful, because that was a value he held. Daddy would have had some sage insights about their personal motivations. He would have helped me understand the anger and fear of the American public, and would have offered me wise counsel about how I could be an instrument of God's reconciliation and peace.
In this season of All Saints, I am especially aware of the prayers in heaven of all of those we love and see no longer. I have a keen sense of my dad's prayers for all of us. That includes his prayers for Mr. Trump and Secretary Clinton. A veteran of World War II, I know how much he loved our country.
When I voted last week, as I made my selections, I thought of my dad. I miss him so much. I'm grateful he's praying.
Your daddy sounds like an amazing man.
ReplyDeleteHe was, Mark. I miss him every day.
ReplyDeleteLovely piece! Thank you, Beth.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Beth+. Your Dad was indeed a special man. I cherish the photo I have that he took in the Holy Land. And I too am grateful he continues his prayers for all of us.
ReplyDelete