My Father Is With My Father

Father's Day, when memories abound...

Dad at 19 (Louis James Martin)

Minnesota

Louis & Lila Martin

On this Father's Day, when I am camping with my two sons and two oldest grandsons (start of a new tradition!), I will be thinking of those many vacations we had with Mom and Dad. Almost 99.9% of them were camping, as that was the most economical thing we could do, with eight kids in the family. And we loved it! 

Departing from our home in Cedar Falls, Iowa each August, when Dad got two weeks off from Viking Pump Company (the iron foundry plant shut down during that annual time), we motored down the highway in the baby blue, 1960 Ford station wagon, pulling the matching painted, homemade camper Dad had built.

We explored the Colorado Rocky Mountain highs (sing it John Denver!); experienced a mother black bear steal our food at our campsite, near Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, right under our pull out camper bed; and even got sun-baked in the Badlands of South Dakota.

If it wasn't a Far West trip, it was an adventurous time in the many state parks located in my land of birth, Minnesota. The "Land of 10,000 Lakes", or "God's country" as we knew it. Elba, Minnesota, home of numerous cousins on Dad's side, had a nice state park just down the winding, hilly, country road. Fun times eating s'mores over the campfire every night!

At age 65, in 1995, Dad and Mom moved from Iowa to North Carolina, just two years after his retirement from Viking when he was 63. He had spent more than 30 years at the foundry, and Charlotte looked like a great place to settle down now for the golden years, in a new home. Three of us kids were here already. I knew he also wanted to serve alongside, as a volunteer, with the ministry I was working with. 

We had some more times together then. Most memorable for me was working as a crew, gutting a horse barn to make it into a church meeting location. Once rebuilt, the Lord Jesus and His Holy Spirit sure did enjoy showing up in "The Barn", during our Friday all night praise and prayer meetings known as "The Watch".

But just four short years after his move to Charlotte, in 1999 the Lord rewarded my Dad with the best home. Though that was tough for Mom and the kids, the good Father knows best. He always does.

Dad's death came as a result of lymphoma cancer, at the young age of 68. (He had found out that he had it when he was 64.) His almost seven decade birthday was to have been just two days later in July. He had "hung on" so he could see his first granddaughter, Sarah Johnson, get married in Kentucky that June. The Lord had granted him that last desire of his heart. Dad had a father's and a grandfather's heart.

Sometimes you just have to trust in the Lord's timing, even if you don't know why. I am sure you have experienced those times too in your life.

These past 14 years seem like a long time in passing. Sometimes it seems like it was only yesterday. Eternity has no measured time. That too is a disguised blessing of the Lord, which we we won't fully understand until we get more into it. Dad knew Jesus as his Lord and Savior, so time for him is always joyful now.

Some of you have lost your father recently. My daughter-in-law Chelsie has, and also my brother-in-law Bob. Others in years gone by. I pray the Lord will touch their heart and yours this Father's Day, with His heart of love and compassion, even as He has mine. 

On July 7, 2008, nine years after my Dad's passing onto glory, I wrote the following poem in honor of him, Louis James Martin. I thought I'd share it again, with you this time, these five years later. 

My father is with my Father. God the Father is the Most Loving Father we can ever know.

My Father Is With My Father

Nine years ago this July month,

My Father took my father home to Him.

After sixty-seven years on earth,

He has him in His place, of far more worth.

A quiet man, who didn’t say much at all,

But who spoke with his hard work, and commitments too.

These made him the real godly man I trust he was,

Which few probably knew, though I think it ‘twas.

Two jobs a day, most of those years of life,

Providing for eight kids, and our Mom, his wife.

Two pairs of hands, a heart of determination and will,

Made him the one I often think of still.

Not one to complain – just do what it takes;

Fixing peoples homes and many churches, for God’s sake.

Foundry life was hot, dirty and most often forlorn,

But he still had the garden, providing all with beans and corn.

Putting in electric outlets, insulation and lights,

Made the evening hours long and not that bright.

But when finished, and another job was done,

Gave me a sense of pride, in being my father’s son.

So kids, love your dad on earth, and especially the One above.

Learn what you can now, as he shows you His love.

And fathers, keep your children taught, with all the good you know,

For they need to see the Way, but not just for show.

My Father has my father, now in his heavenly reward.

He’s probably fixing someone’s mansion, so far upward.

Maybe he’s tending a garden, or camping with some friends,

Or getting the rest he so deserved; but with helping hands still lends.

For you Dad, with love,

  

Steve and all your family

July 7, 2008

Dad's First Communion - Minnesota

Dad in high school 

with blue ribbon sheep on Minnesota farm

Louis James Martin & Lila Mae Subra wedding

June 28, 1952

St. Joachim's Catholic Church

Plainview, MN

- with Bill & Elaine Martin (Dad's brother)

1965? - Dad, Mom, Janet (in arms), Sue

Steve, Tom, Mary, Colleen

Dad & kids - a typical Martin family camping fire.

(Mom took the photo.)

Louis & Lila Martin family - 1973

1979 - a whole bunch of us. 

(By 2013 we have really multiplied on the earth.)

Sarah, who got married in 1999, 

is the one in the front row on Sue's lap.

Dad wiring "The Barn" in Charlotte, NC - 1995

Presenting my Dad with a plaque for his church service.

Father's Day, June 15, 1997. Last Sunday in "The Barn."

Teary eyed. Being honored for who he was,

and what he had done to bless many.

A creek bed somewhere...near a camp ground I am sure.

The last Christmas season before he passed on.

The last photo of Dad with all of us together. June 1999.