The outpouring of love and support to our family has been a balm to our bruised hearts. Through cards, visits, calls, flowers, food, hugs, prayers and joining with us at the visitation and funeral you have demonstrated your love and respect for our sweet dad, Ron Brooks.
If only Dad were here to experience it all. He would take in all in, smile, and say, "Thank you, but no." He would redirect our thoughts and hearts upward. "It's all about Him." He would remind us.
If we had been able to see Dad as a twelve year old boy, sent out of his home, left to fend for himself, we would say, "He doesn't have a chance." But God knew better. God healed his hurts, protected his path, adopted Dad as His own and put him to work. Dad lived for his Lord. He would tell us the past does not matter. What you are (or are not) does not matter. Your lack of abilities or talents does not matter....Who you serve does. For Dad knew if God could embrace a forgotten twelve year old and mold him into a tool for service, God is ready to embrace any of us.
Dad's work here on earth is done. He has finished the course. He has run the race and finished well. Today he celebrates with His Savior. But who will take up the mantle? Who will continue in his place? May I urge and challenge you? To honor Dad, live for the One for whom Dad gave his life. Dedicate yourself, willingly sacrifice, follow and love Dad's Jesus.
How to honor Dad? If we asked him?.....If you've ever had the privilege to speak with Dad one on one, you will recall that twinkle in his eye and his half smile as he'd pause, lean forward and say, "Serve my good God."
Thursday, January 21, 2016
Friday, January 15, 2016
A letter to my children: Legacy, a heritage from our fathers
As we celebrate the home-going of our Pop Pop, reflections of life bring me to an amazing understanding of God’s blessings to us, to you. His promises of blessings to come as a result of lives lived before us, not only begun before our time, but also, lived before our eyes.
Jack P. Dean Ronald A. Brooks….a double portion
Our lives have been immeasurably blessed through no effort of our own. Our fathers have handed to us favor from God simply because they lived. But not “just” lived. They lived for His glory, for His honor, in obedience and love. And we, regardless of how we live, are blessed. We and generations to follow will see God’s hand in our lives because of the men we called “Dad”.
My Daddy. Papa. Just the saying of it brings warmth to my heart. He lived his life “full-out”. End of story. But not quite. Every aspect of his being was full of life, energy, love and….humor. But more than anything that influenced him was his love for his Savior. Life began and ended there.
He was a simple man. Smart, educated, loved by everyone who met him. He was an athlete, teacher, preacher, friend. He was determined. Nothing could stop him. If he was convinced a thing should happen, he would find a way. He loved people and treated everyone the same regardless of social status or position.
And no one was exempt from his admonitions….or his jokes. But his heart would reach out and embrace you. You could read love and concern in his eyes. Your whole being could relax in his presence, secure and supported by his desire to be your friend, to bring you to relationship with the One he served. And that was his greatest fulfillment, serving God.
No task was too menial if it brought glory to His Savior or folks to a closer relationship with their God. No one was out of reach, if he was led to minister to them. They were not always receptive, appreciative. But his motivation was not their approval. He lived to honor the call on him long ago to love, to teach, to serve God.
Dad Brooks, “Pop Pop” as we lovingly referred to him, was Dad’s brother in Christ, but that was where most similarities with my Dad ended. It was an honor to learn to know and grow to love the man God had developed in Dad Brooks. He from an early age had aspirations and with his salvation as a young boy, his goals and passions grew to include service to God. He excelled in military service, leading men and loving them to Christ. He risked his life serving his country and sacrificed good health in later life as a result. He continued to serve the military as he began his ministry among the believers, at home and abroad. His influence around the world brought many to Christ and to others, to growth and a deeper understanding of God, His word, and the purpose of a life lived to honor Him.
Children, teens and adults benefited from their time with Dad. Whether counseling, teaching, preaching or casual chatting together, the Lord was presented, considered and uplifted.
Two men. So different. So much the same. Both blessed by God with talents and abilities to communicate to those around them Biblical principles by which to live. Both in love with the Savior who died for them. Both passionate about serving Him and loving others. Both with a drive and desire to honor their Lord and end well. Both of them successful.
As they left us to go to the God they loved, they left for us the blessing God promises for those who love and serve Him. They never doubted Him. His faithfulness was their foundation. His love for them was their comfort. Their love for Him, deep and secure.
From them we learned God is Real and God is Good. All the time.
Jack P. Dean Ronald A. Brooks….a double portion
Our lives have been immeasurably blessed through no effort of our own. Our fathers have handed to us favor from God simply because they lived. But not “just” lived. They lived for His glory, for His honor, in obedience and love. And we, regardless of how we live, are blessed. We and generations to follow will see God’s hand in our lives because of the men we called “Dad”.
My Daddy. Papa. Just the saying of it brings warmth to my heart. He lived his life “full-out”. End of story. But not quite. Every aspect of his being was full of life, energy, love and….humor. But more than anything that influenced him was his love for his Savior. Life began and ended there.
He was a simple man. Smart, educated, loved by everyone who met him. He was an athlete, teacher, preacher, friend. He was determined. Nothing could stop him. If he was convinced a thing should happen, he would find a way. He loved people and treated everyone the same regardless of social status or position.
And no one was exempt from his admonitions….or his jokes. But his heart would reach out and embrace you. You could read love and concern in his eyes. Your whole being could relax in his presence, secure and supported by his desire to be your friend, to bring you to relationship with the One he served. And that was his greatest fulfillment, serving God.
No task was too menial if it brought glory to His Savior or folks to a closer relationship with their God. No one was out of reach, if he was led to minister to them. They were not always receptive, appreciative. But his motivation was not their approval. He lived to honor the call on him long ago to love, to teach, to serve God.
Dad Brooks, “Pop Pop” as we lovingly referred to him, was Dad’s brother in Christ, but that was where most similarities with my Dad ended. It was an honor to learn to know and grow to love the man God had developed in Dad Brooks. He from an early age had aspirations and with his salvation as a young boy, his goals and passions grew to include service to God. He excelled in military service, leading men and loving them to Christ. He risked his life serving his country and sacrificed good health in later life as a result. He continued to serve the military as he began his ministry among the believers, at home and abroad. His influence around the world brought many to Christ and to others, to growth and a deeper understanding of God, His word, and the purpose of a life lived to honor Him.
Children, teens and adults benefited from their time with Dad. Whether counseling, teaching, preaching or casual chatting together, the Lord was presented, considered and uplifted.
Two men. So different. So much the same. Both blessed by God with talents and abilities to communicate to those around them Biblical principles by which to live. Both in love with the Savior who died for them. Both passionate about serving Him and loving others. Both with a drive and desire to honor their Lord and end well. Both of them successful.
As they left us to go to the God they loved, they left for us the blessing God promises for those who love and serve Him. They never doubted Him. His faithfulness was their foundation. His love for them was their comfort. Their love for Him, deep and secure.
From them we learned God is Real and God is Good. All the time.
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