Lessons in the Storm

May 18th, 2020 – 17 years to the day since my Father died. I was just a young boy at 13 years old, but on that day, I had to grow up fast! Over the years, I have learned that anniversaries don’t need to be painful but can be moments of reflection. Of course, I miss dad, especially as I watch my children grow up. Of course, I would love just one more day with him. Yet, as I reflect back, I recognise that I can still learn so much from his life, and for that, I am grateful.

Every year, I try to learn lessons and apply them to my life. As Pastor of Lincoln Baptist, I also think it important to not be a figurehead, but a real person, with real emotions. We serve each other best when we are real with each other! Let me tell you some stories, you will learn a little more of my father, however, most importantly, you will learn what he taught me!

Joy in the Storm

My father had a heart condition. It was often difficult for him to accept. In his youth, he was a footballer and he loved all things sport. He served in the RAF and in the Police, so fitness was a real part of his life. However, the heart condition robbed him of all opportunities to partake in sport. Many would have resigned to the chair, accepting that watching sport was the next best thing. Not dad!

The church we attended had a regular cricket match with church members. Dad decided he wanted to take part; the only problem was that he could no longer run. A solution was needed – my dad would be the batsman, and I would be the runner going between the stumps! What a team we made!  Dad could swing a bat, and I was young and fast! I look back on that day and smile at the tenacity of dad. However, what people didn’t see was the next day. The pain and the discomfort that his body responded with. Dad saw it as worth it, for a little joy in the storm!

When you look around at your circumstances, you can choose to let the storm engulf you. Or, you could choose to find moments of joy. C. S Lewis wrote “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” My father had dedicated his life to Jesus, and he let it show. He refused to be overcome, instead, he chose the most serious business of heaven – JOY!

Hope in the Storm

I remember many hospital trips with Dad. He was in and out of hospital, and as he came closer to the end of his life, his body began shutting down. He was in Kidney failure; Liver failure and his Heart was beginning to give in to the disease. I remember one New Year trip back to Edinburgh (we were in Northern Ireland at the time). Dad ended up in hospital, every time the same question came to our thoughts – is this it? Is this the last time we would see him.

I remember every morning the countless tablets he had to take to keep him alive. The countless blood tests, scans and consultations to try and keep him going. It would be easy for someone in this position to get angry, to feel frustrated and to see the hospital trips as a nuisance. Not Dad! Dad saw it as opportunities of hope!

Every nurse, doctor, pharmacist, hospital porter, car park attendant and anyone else that would listen, was told the Gospel. Dad would wear ties with Bible verses on them, he would hand over leaflets and he would share his story. He would share how he was a drunk saved by Jesus. How his life turned around and now he was full of joy in Jesus. He would share with patients, who were near death, of the wonderful hope they could find in Jesus.

The hope Dad found in Jesus was not to be kept, but to be shared. So often, we walk through trials as if we have lost! If you are a follower of Jesus, you haven’t lost, you have Jesus, who is our victory! We have hope that this trial is not the end, rather, Jesus has secured our eternity! Share this wonderful news with anyone that will listen!

Meaning in the Storm

I remember the day we were told dad had died. I remember as if it was yesterday. I remember the devastation. I remember the pain. I remember the huge sense of loss. As I looked around me, there were so many tears. It felt like the world had stopped and we were falling into a deep pit.

Over the years, that pain and sense of loss has lessened, but has never went away. Dad wasn’t there to teach me to shave. He wasn’t there when I got engaged and married to Miriam. He wasn’t there when my daughters were born. He hasn’t ever heard me preach. I can’t just pick up the phone and ask for advice.

I could spend hours thinking about the loss and devastation, or I could learn from his example and find meaning in the storm. You see, Dad didn’t waste his final years. He recognised that he had little time left, so he spent every day preparing us for a future without him. Every day, he prayed with us, he read scripture with us and we studied theological books together. He would say “I might not be there in the future, it is important that you know this.” What struck me was the attitude, tomorrow is not promised – yesterday has gone – you have today, make it count.

So, as I look back, where is the meaning in the storm of his death? Simple, his death has spurred me on to live each day like it is my last. Others recognise it as my 100 m/p/h attitude, or my refusal to accept the answer no! I don’t apologise for it, I embrace it. It is in living like this that the storm never engulfs me. It is in living like this that cuts through the nonsense of life and gets to the root of the matter!

Jesus changed my dad’s life and gave him hope, which meant he could throw caution to the wind and live out each moment as his last. The truth is, Jesus changed my life, gave me hope and has reminded me that everyday counts.

Here is my challenge for you - how are you going to respond to the storm? Are going to let it engulf you? Rob you of your joy? Trick you into thinking there is no hope? Or are you going to turn to Jesus in the storm and find joy, hope and peace!

All for Jesus

Pastor Ross Ferguson

P.S. Stories of my Dad’s policing days still entertain my girls to this day! Their favourite is his undercover arrest he made after he was paid to rob a store (the burglars picked the wrong person)!