THE LAST CHAPTER
REPOST FROM 2010
I love stories or books with happy endings, who doesn’t? Although, I bet I’m not the only one who gets a little somber even after a great last chapter.
There are lots of reasons I get a tad depressed after a happy ending. First of all, I’m going to miss being captivated by the story that has so engrossed me, I now feel like part of the story. One of the other reasons I raise my head up a little on the bummed side is that the story might have been fiction. Even though the ending was pleasurable it sometimes leaves me with the desire for a more perfect world instead of the fallen one we’re walking in.
The biggest reason for my solemn introspective is the fact that it’s over. Never to be duplicated in exactly the same way. The storyline has been revealed and so has my heart. I know there are more happy endings to be read and lived, but not this one, this one’s finished.
The great books always seem to teach us something more than just the story. The truly great ones teach us something about ourselves. Most of the time, the wisdom learned from the story is a painful revelation of our shortcomings.
I’m fascinated with the books all around me. Every person in this world is a living book… I’ve gotten pretty good at figuring out what type of book the characters I witness are writing.
The words tell a small part of the story. A few words from the author and I can tell if it’s non-fiction or fiction. I’ve also learned I don’t have a clue how to figure out their story based on their cover.
Some of my favorite living books are plain ole paperbacks. The actions of these books tell their story. Most often their words aren’t pretty or poetic, but they’re deep in meaning and wisdom.
If you’re not looking for these living books you might miss them. They might just look like people walking around. Make no mistake, they’re more than people walking around. They are living books telling a story… Some fiction, some non-fiction, happy, sad, joyful or full of sorrow. Every one of them writing the chapters of their lives.
I was fortunate early in my life to get a front row seat to the writing of my dad’s life. Although a simple man of few words, the actions, which are the words, spoke volumes. He left the flexible template and outline for me to follow in order to write my own story.
Some of the chapters in my dad’s life weren’t easy. The story line took some twists and turns resulting in difficult physical and financial times. No matter where the writing of his life took him, there was always faith, trust, joy and peace in his heart with a snap in his step.
He learned to weave every chapter of his life together with God as his inspiration and strength. In my dad’s last chapter, less than two months before God took him home, he had this to say, “Son, you know I don’t want to leave. God’s blessed me here with a great family, but if he chooses to take me, I win either way.”
After reading the great book of my dad’s life, I am left with joy and sadness… The book is closed, but I’m still learning from it. His living book has also revealed to me the many rewrites I need in my life.
I really enjoyed my dad’s living book… It was such an amazing book, I just never, ever wanted it to end…
While writing the book of my life I had and idea how to finish it, but needed some direction and inspiration.
I thank God he provided my dad for that purpose.
I am determined to finish with honor, “The Last Chapter”…
bill (cycleguy)
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:09 am
8 years ago today (March 9) my mother went to be with Jesus. I read her book for almost 51 years. I want to be the last chapter of that book. Thanks Floyd.
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 7:18 am
Thanks Bill. We were blessed to have the front row seats to the lives of chosen people of God…
TC Avey
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 11:44 am
Touching! Oct 2008 my dad went to be with Jesus. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. He taught me so much and he continues to teach me each day. I am surprised sometimes by the things he is still teaching me, like how to be a selfless parent. He loved life and he loved God.
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:50 pm
Amen TC! You hit the nail on the head. How blessed we were to be led by amazingly strong men. Thank you brother.
Danelle
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 12:30 pm
Don’t we all need some “rewrites”? I believe I have told you this before Floyd, but whenever I read these posts about your dad’s influence I just thank God that you had such a man, such a father, to influence you. I know you are making the last chapter just the way your father would want you to live it, rewrites and all!
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:52 pm
I can’t thank you enough Danelle. We do need rewrites, but God continues to fill us with the gift of wisdom through our parents.
Chuck Allen
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:11 pm
Great points, Floyd. Those of who had parents that lived great stories are certainly blessed.
I guess the old writing advice “show, don’t tell” applies to our living story as much as any written one, huh?
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:53 pm
Thanks Chuck. Well said, I couldn’t agree more, in fact that goes deeper than I even realized. I’ll be pondering that for a bit.
Hazel Moon
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:13 pm
Every home should have a Dad! We are the lucky ones where our Dad was still in the home and not running away and leaving a mother to raise her children without a man’s influence. It is so important in a church to have teachers and mentors who will smile at the children in fatherless homes and give them a kind encouraging word. Even though I had a father in the home, I can remember one elcerly gentleman who would always tell me to serve Jesus and other words of challenge and hope. Your Dad was proud of you and as he looks down from heaven he still says, “Good Job Floyd.”
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:55 pm
Thank you Hazel. We were indeed blessed. I also know, at least to a point, what a wonderful encourager you’ve been… and continue to be…
Nancy
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:37 pm
I’ve been reading in Isaiah and Jeremiah, and there was One Father who kept trying and trying to get’s his kid’s attention. I could hear the frustration in his tone, when decried this or that about them. I left off with Him talking about making gods out of the stuff HE put here, and that their gods had to be carried everywhere they went. These God’s didn’t even speak to them and here HE was ready and able for fellowship! How often have I looked at the shortcomings of the Children of Israel and shook my head? My Father left me HIS Book with all His thoughts – I should be diligent to search Him out as He is still speaking.
Loved the story. Glad you had a wonderful father. Even though I can’t say much about my bio-father,God brought some stand-ins for me. Looking at their stories helped a lot!
Floyd
Friday, March 9, 2012 @ 6:57 pm
Thanks Nancy. I think God is a little tougher on the ones who are stronger. I didn’t use to think that, but the older I get the more I think that. That makes you the strong my friend…