Today is the day we celebrate our earthly Fathers. For some, we celebrate our memories because we no longer have our Daddy with us.
I celebrate my Daddy, James Hugh Castleberry, in memory, and my husband, Mark Brewer.
Thinking of my Daddy brings me happy thoughts of sunshine, the smell of the dust as drops of rain spattered down, rice fields and tractors, and blackberries and mulberries. The list could go on and on!
See, Daddy raised me in the country. I spent much time on a tractor or occupying myself while Daddy worked the field. And I wouldn’t change that for a million dollars!
I remember one year, when I was around four years old, I desperately wanted a bicycle. However, mama couldn’t afford one at the time. My brother Wayne built me one out of scraps! I loved that bicycle even though it was ugly!
Well, Christmas rolled around, and I woke up at Daddy’s house that morning to a brand spanking new, fully loaded pink bicycle sitting in the dining room!!!
Boy, oh boy, I thought I had it going on! I had not one but two bicycles! I was rich!
Then I walked out on the front porch to a massive barbie house my brother James Ray had built me. That Christmas was one like no other!!!
I would swap my car for those two bicycles and that barbie house if I could. That’s how much they mean to me (I love my car).
Those Examples
Now I have my honey, Mark, to celebrate. And let me tell you, James Castleberry loved him some Mark Brewer!
When Mark and I were dating, we spent a great deal of time with my Daddy. We would sit and talk or play cards or dominoes. Just whatever to spend time with him. I’m thankful for those days!
Daddy loved having us over. I always got tickled at how he’d chase the girls around on his golf cart, and he’d even let Cassidy (four years old) drive the golf cart all over his land.
James Castleberry was something else. I think they broke the mold when he was born! He was funny, loving, and giving; I’m proud he was mine!
Unfortunately, Daddy didn’t see Mark and I get married. Cancer took him away before he could. But I’m glad he knew we were engaged!
My Favorite Thing
The best thing about Daddy’s relationship with Mark was they spent time studying the Bible together.
Mark and I were eating dinner one night when Daddy called wanting to study. I don’t think I’d ever seen Mark move so fast!
My greatest joy is that my Daddy was baptized into Christ by Mark one day when Daddy was in the hospital. My Daddy obeyed the gospel!!! There’s no better memory I could ever in a million years have of my Daddy!!! None!!!
So, my most incredible memory of my Daddy ties in with my husband. This is my favorite thing about Mark Brewer!
He loves people’s souls.
Let’s Talk about the Nobleman and the Ruler
When I think of Mark and Daddy, I think of two men from the Bible. The nobleman asked Jesus to heal his son, and the Ruler named Jairus asked Jesus to heal his daughter. Those two gentlemen loved their children – just like Daddy and Mark.
John 4:46-50
“And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son; for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will in no wise believe. The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. The man believed the word that Jesus spake unto him, and he went his way.”
Matthew 9:18-19
“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.”
Their children were ill, and they sought out Jesus. These men had faith in Jesus. What a blessing to have men with such faith.
There could be no better earthly Father than one who has faith! The Father Who loves us the most, though, is our Heavenly Father.
This right here is what we all need to remember – that our Heavenly Father loves us.
So, if you are without a Father here on earth or don’t have one that makes you feel special, know that there’s One in Heaven Who loves you so much! He loves us more than words can express, or my little mind can comprehend.
You are not alone. God is here, guiding you by his Word. Take comfort in that and seek Him out. He will take care of you!
Not sure where to start? Take the time to study the verse references I have listed here.
1. Hear the Gospel. (Romans 10:17, John 8:32)
2. Believe the Gospel (Hebrews 11:6, John 20:31)
3. Repent of past sins (Luke 13:3, Acts 17:30)
4. Confess faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 10:10, Matthew 10:32)
5. Be baptized (Galatians 3:27, Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38)
6. Be faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10)
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions or would like to study. I, too, will be here for you.
In Christian Love,
Leah Brewer
Daddy with his banjo and Mark with his pretty self! :)