Happy Birthday, Dad!

I crept into my parents bedroom. It was an hour before my curfew, midnight. I knew they would be sleeping lightly until all of us were safely home. “Dad,” I whispered, standing at his side of the bed, “Can we talk to you?” He got out of bed and came into the living room where my friend Judy sat. “Dad, we had an accident. Judy’s afraid to tell her dad about it.” We went on to tell how when backing out of Burgerville–the local teenager’s hang-out in the sixties–Judy turned too quickly and the car swung out, her fender bumping the car parked in the next slot. After exchanging phone numbers and insurance details, she drove me home. Judy confided she was scared to go home and tell her dad. I encouraged her to come in and talk to my dad. “It’ll be ok,” I told her.

Dad listened to Judy’s story and then he prayed. He advised her to go home, tell her dad and assured her he would understand.

My dad was the one I’d go to if I were hurt. As a youngster, if he were around, he was the one who pulled out the sliver. There were many times I’d go to him when I didn’t  know what to do.  I knew I could tell him about it and he’d advise, listening carefully first.

After my parents moved to faraway Texas and he wasn’t there to drop by his office at church, I called instead. His steady voice and calm spirit always encouraged me.

Tomorrow is September 11. A day all Americans remember as the terrorist attack on our country in New York City and Washington DC. We should remember that tragic day, and pray for those who lost loved ones.

September 11 is also my dad’s birthday. He was a steady, calm man who helped me believe things would be OK. I miss hearing his voice, listening to his sermons for he was my dad and also my pastor for twenty some years of my life.

A few weeks ago,  Dan Evans  a friend from the past, wrote a tribute to different people in his life. One of the tributes featured my dad.

 He was a mature, quiet, unassuming man who believed – not in building his own reputation and popularity as many do today – but in finding and grooming other people of character to lead the church with him. He had an uncanny ability to place true servants into teaching positions….Sometimes people come along during your journey of life who simply believe in you. That can have a wonderful influence on your life, as it did with Pastor Quiring. I could not let another day pass without acknowledging the influence that the late Pastor Henry Quiring had in my spiritual walk and eventual ministry. I am thankful for this man and look forward to our reunion in Heaven, where he has been for several years.