Please welcome guest writer, Ruth Appell, a student at Pensacola Christian College, whose creativity and talent for writing first came to my attention when she was in ninth grade and asked me to proofread a poem she wrote for a competition. I know you will be blessed by Ruth's beautiful tribute to her father, a man I was honored to serve under while he was the principal of the school where I taught.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV).
As the firstborn child, I share a special bond with my dad. His right-hand aid when Mom is away, my relationship with him is primarily characterized by laughing, crying, teasing, and lots of coffee. He’s never forgiven me for my red hair, but he puts up with it along with all of my other quirks because deep down, he knows that I put up with his. What exactly are they? Well, let me tell you…
Probably my dad’s most notable trait, which both impresses and humors me, is his tenacity and relentless drive. My dad often lays aside common rationale in order to get things done as fast as possible. This explains the overnighters our family pulled to get from New York to Florida for vacation in under 24 hours. It is also the reason why my dad would spontaneously stand up from the Saturday morning breakfast table and rush out the door. His list of projects was endless, and as soon as he remembered how much there was to do, there was no stopping him. Only a cup of coffee could keep him at the table long enough for my mom to sit down.
My dad always sees the good in people. Ever the optimist, his confidence in the abilities of others always pushes them to reach higher and farther than they thought they could. This quality is what makes my dad an excellent teacher, coach, and father. He has always believed in me, and his confidence and support have been a huge encouragement in my life.
My dad is crazy and fun and loves life. Sometimes, this brings extra excitement into the lives of those around him – like the time he jumped in a swimming pool, fully clothed, to
illustrate the Bible story of Naaman washing in the Jordan River. Or when he decided to drive our fifteen-passenger van through a snowbank “just for fun,” only to get us stranded for an hour of digging before we got unstuck.
A natural leader, my dad has what it takes to get the job done. Some people might think of him as a bit of a drill sergeant, but I know that beneath his push and drive is his love for us, and his desire for us to excel. Inside our home, he is the head of our family. While my mom plays a very important role in raising our family, the buck always stops with Dad. We can count on it.
Growing up, one of my fondest memories was the family devotional time my dad led every night before bed. I didn’t realize it then, but this time was monumental in my life. It gave me a foundational understanding of God’s Word and helped me develop a Biblical worldview. I could never be grateful enough for the investment my parents made in my life spiritually. Truly, my dad’s faith has been his greatest influence – not just in my life, but in the lives of so many others.
One of my dad’s greatest burdens is for young people to know God and His Word. He has always placed a big emphasis on Scripture memory. It’s been so rewarding to watch him encourage his students to hide God’s word in their hearts. This past year, 47 young people from our mission school participated in a challenge to memorize a passage of 6-8 verses each month during the school year. In order to qualify, they had to recite each passage by the fifteenth of the month. They received a special award to commemorate their hard work at the end of the year, but I often wonder if they’ll ever comprehend the eternal reward of such a feat. It cannot be measured.
I’ve had the immense privilege of witnessing my dad’s influence on his students, even as time has worn on. Last summer I spoke with a former student of his who has been out of high school for several years. Although she walked away from the Lord for a while, she began to regret her choices and turn back to Him. She told me that even when her heart had wandered far from God, she could never forget the wealth of Scripture she learned under my dad. These verses have stayed with her the whole way through. My dad’s not sentimental like I am, so when I hear stories like this, I cry for him.
My dad’s love for the Lord and commitment to serve Christ is what I love and admire most about him. While he was still young, he knew God had called him to be missionary. Today, he is living out this calling, serving in a mission school to support church planting in remote people groups. My dad has such a heart for both missions and young people. This has been both a challenging and amazing opportunity for him to serve the Lord in both of those callings.
I know that it hasn’t always been easy for my dad. Being in ministry is a serious sacrifice for the whole family, and as the head of our home, my dad feels this sacrifice deeply. My parents have given up much to serve the Lord. Certain losses are obvious, such as the comfort of living in the United States and time with friends and loved ones. Other difficulties are more subtle and perhaps even unexpected by those outside of ministry life. These personal battles are waged against discouragement, loneliness, and a lack of spiritual nourishment in a foreign culture.
Yet my parents have counted the cost and found it a worthy price. They deem it a privilege to share in the Lord’s work in their small way. To them, the eternal benefit is far greater than the loss they endure. They seek eternal rewards to lay at Jesus’ feet – because they love Him. This love – for God, for His Word, and for His people – is what my dad has passed on that will remain with me forever. He has shown me what it means to love the Lord and live that love out.
And yet, as truly wonderful as my dad is, he’s not perfect. No father is. It is hard for me to say this, but there are times when I have been disappointed by my dad. And I know that there are so many of you reading this who have never known the blessing of a father who loves you and protects you and cares for you the way my dad has.
The reality is that we live in a broken world. Even the most loving father is not untouched by the brokenness of sin. We have turned our backs on the Father who loved us most, and we all suffer from the consequences of this broken relationship.
You see, we were all created with a God-shaped hole in our hearts. That longing we feel for a father who loves us and protects us and leads us and cares for us isn’t just another social construct handed down from a primitive society. It’s part of our hardwiring as human beings. Augustine wrote, “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.” Only God can truly fill that longing for a perfect Father.
And He is the one who invites us to be His children. Because He is holy, and we are sinners, we all deserve to be separated from Him forever in eternal death. But God loved us too much to give us what we deserve. He loved us so much that he sent His perfect Son to die instead of us. His perfect shed blood made peace with God on our behalf. That longing in our hearts can finally be filled.
God is waiting for you and me and everyone else to recognize our need – our need for Him to save us and fill the deepest longings of our hearts. When we do, He adopts us as His own and lavishes us with the love He has been waiting to pour out on us.
God wants to be your perfect Father. He loves you so perfectly and wants to care for you, protect you, and guide you. And one day, He wants to live with you forever. He wants this so much that He gave you His Son to die in your place. Will you turn to Him to save you?
Maybe you don’t know how. Let me encourage you: God’s Word has all the answers! Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. You must recognize this and admit you are a sinner in need of God’s grace. Then, you must believe in your heart in Jesus’ death and resurrection and with your mouth confess Him as Lord. Romans 10:9 tells us that this is what brings salvation. And John 1:12 states that whoever receives and believes in Christ has the right to become the child of God!
I’m honored by the privilege to write for Inspirational Lee, and I don’t want to miss this amazing opportunity to share the hope of the Gospel. If you take anything away from my writing today, please take the truth that I have just given you – that only God can satisfy you and that you need so desperately to become His child. I have an amazing dad, but I have a perfect Heavenly Father. He wants to be yours, too.
Will you let Him?
More about Ruth: Ruth is the oldest of nine children. Her family is currently serving as missionaries in Indonesia. While Ruth was growing up, she lived in Papua New Guinea, New York State, and Indonesia. Ruth is majoring in secondary education in history and music. She is an accomplished pianist and loves children.
*Background photo and photo of little Ruth with her dad was taken by Amy Appell. Family photo was taken by Heather Marx.
Interested in more stories about the Appell family? You might enjoy Transitioning off the Mission Field or Willard Appell, Teen Missionary
Interested in more Father's Day stories? You might enjoy Generosity: Love Bound in a T-shirt or A Message from My Father