Secrets My Father Told Me
As promised, here is the first of a series of posts from my wife Marie. Over next few weeks she will writing on this series. I trust that you will enjoy it because of Marie's insights plus she is really the best writer in the family.
Hi everyone, Marie here.
Have you ever heard a secret so powerful that it helped shape your destiny? I have one, shared to me by my father when I was 13. But 20 years, a husband, and three kids later, I have discovered even another source of secrets. So for today and the next couple of weeks, I have taken over my hubby’s Thursday blog to share some with you. Stay tuned : >
When I was 13 yrs old, my father told me a secret.
As he was putting on his coat to get ready for a wedding, he handed me his card and said, "Marie, write a greeting for the bride and groom then I'll sign it."
“Me?!? Why me?!” I asked.
I was the youngest of eight children. Why me? What would a gawky, awkward, glasses-wearing, nerdy-looking, 13 year old know about love and marriage??? My father was a lawyer, a wise judge at that. Years down the road, he would even become an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Besides, he was the principal sponsor of the wedding, so why trust a 13 year old?
Then my father looked me in the eye and said, "You're a good writer, Marie. One day, you'll even write better than me." That little light-hearted comment became a shout that shaped my heart and destiny.
“My father thinks ‘I'm a good writer!’” I thought to myself. Oh how his words directed my life!
Writing became my joy and skill. Broadcast Communication became my university degree. All because of my father’s words. It was a secret shared between the two of us.
When I was in my 30’s, my father passed away. I was then a young wife to Joey, and attempting to be a super mom to three boys. I needed wisdom and encouragement more than ever. But the secrets had died with my father…or so I thought.
One day, while praying, I blurted out to God all my frustrations as a wife and mother: “God, I’m lonely!” “God, I’m overwhelmed!” “Jesus, how can you even give parenting advice when you never had kids?!?” “God, am I doing the right thing?”
I didn’t expect a direct answer from Him. My prayers consisted of me pouring out a litany of concerns, not caring enough to listen for a specific answer. At that time, I saw Bible reading more as a duty that needed to be done, not necessarily enjoyed.
That all changed one day, as I read Isaiah 45: 3 (NET):
“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stashed away in secret places, so you may recognize that I am the LORD, the one who calls you by name, the God of Israel.”
The version found in the New Living Translation says: “And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness—secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, the one who calls you by name.”
It gradually dawned on me that God had secrets too! Secrets that He wanted to share. Secret riches, hidden treasures in His Word, “riches stashed away in secret places”… and they were there for His children to discover.
This revelation made waking up in the morning and having my date with my Heavenly Father a treat for me. I knew a treasure awaited me everyday. He always had a secret for me, His daughter. A nugget of wisdom here, a word of advice there, even an art idea to try. There have even been occasions when God would give me a whole message to share when I needed to speak in public.
I’m inspired by the story of George Washington Carver, who grew up in the late 1800’s. A child of slaves, deprived of early education, yet rich in faith.
George prayed to God, wanting to know the secrets of the universe. Instead, through his quiet time and research, God showed him the secrets of the peanut and other products… and what amazing secrets he uncovered!
George ended up discovering 300 uses of the lowly peanut, and 100 products from sweet potatoes. Many of Carver’s inventions are still with us today. His discoveries included agricutural innovations, paint products, cosmetic ingredients, as well as the dyes used in the manufacture of Crayola crayons.
George Carver revealed that God had given him these secrets. He would share this to others saying, “The Lord has guided me,” and “Without my Savior, I am nothing.”
His testimony inspires me! Now I don’t have 300+ inventions to my name, but what I do have are a few secrets my Heavenly Father told me. I hope they inspire you. Please join me in the next few weeks, as I share one every Thursday. : )
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