Faith of my Father

There's a hymn I remeber from growing up called "Faith of our Fathers" which was written in 1849 by Frederick William Faber. This song I learned is surprisingly a Catholic hymn that was written in honor of those who lost their lives as martyrs after the establishment of the Church of England.

I got to thinking though about this in a different way especially recently as I have been going through my confirmation process to join the Catholic church. I was and have continued to be thinking about all that has led me to where I am in my faith journey today...this includes the preaching and example my dad set for us growing up. Faith is sustained through many trials and dark things just like the song says in verse 1: 

Faith of our Fathers! living still

In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword:

Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy

Whene'er we hear that glorious word.

It also got me thinking that not just their faith lives still, but their memories as well and the witnesses that they were as they stood firm in what they believed.

I will admit that my thinking towards the Protestant branch of Christianity isn't always as  gracious as it should be, especially after some personal experiences I have had and what I have come to realize and learn as an adult.

 But, I do greatly value the fact that I was raised in the Christian faith and that I was taught from a young age about Jesus. My dad was a great positive influence in my life. We spent alot of time together especially in what would end up being his last years of life leading up to his unexpected death. He prayed with me countless times over the phone and took me for countless rides on his Motorcycle. Even when I was a mess and the process of my divorce had started, he still loved me and spent time with me. 

I had the privilege to sit under his preaching. He was a pastor at Grace Baptist Church in  Carlisle, PA for nearly fifteen years. The Lord then called him to serve as the senior pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Chambersburg, PA from 2006 up til his death in May of 2020. I was a member of the church in Chambersburg for many many years until I moved out of my parents house in 2016. Dad's deep and expository preaching was always so good. He took a great deal of time putting his sermons together and preparing the words that God has given him to share with the flock he faithfully led. I also credit my dad ( and mom ) as being the reason I am such a good notetaker and love filling notebooks with what I am learning. Dad also taught my sister and me the Lord's Prayer at a young age. It is a prayer I hold dear to this very day. 

Anyways ... all of that to say that just because I am a Catholic Christian does not mean I am turning my back on the faith that shaped my learning growing up. I wouldn't be where I am today without it. Similarly, my recent faith journey does not discredit my dad or his ministry. The faith of my father lives on still, just like his memory. I still go back and listen to his last few sermons that were recorded thanks to the shut down during the covid19 pandemic we experience. Those ones were on heaven and I like to think that in those final faithful messages he prepared and shared...God was preparing his heart for heaven and preparing to help deepen the faith of those left behind. 

We are all on a journey, friends. May we never forget those who have helped us along the way. 

My dad:  Pastor Craig L. Harris 

 

Dad's office space during sermon prep