Dad, thanks for your influence on my life!

Influence can be defined as the act or power of producing an effect without apparent exertion of force or direct exercise of command; the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways.

Influence….father….yes, the two go together. In fact, the two are inseparable.

I look at the picture above taken in August 2003 in New Richmond as members of our family sat together after moving mother and dad into their new apartment. You see, dad had had several “mini-strokes” and needed to be near one of his sons. My brother Curtis and his wife, Andrea, so graciously found a wonderful place for them to live.

We all sat down for a Chinese buffet after working to set up the apartment. From left to right we have mother (Alice Thomassen), nephew David Thomassen, Andrea Thomassen (David’s mother and Curt’s wife), George (my middle brother – probably on the cell phone to his wife!), myself, Curtis (my youngest brother) and dad. At this time dad was 82. Although he was not able to walk like he did due to the strokes, he was still determined to get around. The next few months would see a dramatic turn of events. By Christmas time he became so weak that he had to go into a nursing home. He continued to become weaker, had more mini strokes, lost his ability to speak, but amazingly, he could still sing!

So, what kind of influence could he still have? Dad would sit in his chair with his Bible and his prayer list and pray for all of us and many, many more people. Was this the first time he had done that? No! Many people will tell you that he did this for years. How do they know? Their name was on his prayer list! I know that all of our family members were on that list….every child, grandchild, cousin and on and on. Not only family but friends, former parishioners, work associates and the list goes on.

The Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (James 5:16)

For years, dad prayed for us. Although he has now been gone for almost 3 years, his prayers and life still influence us. His influence impacts many things I do. I still remember how he did things or dealt with people over many years of ministry and I am reminded to do what he did in various situations.

Dad was quiet and often didn’t say much, but he didn’t have to. He lived an exemplary life. Is salt loud and boisterous? No. But can it influence? Try putting too much on your potatoes!

On this Father’s Day 2009 I thank God for the influence of my father. I say, “How can I have been so fortunate to have a father who loved his wife and his children and everyone he met; who was kind and gracious to everyone, particularly those who, as he said it, “were down and out;” who was honest, paid his bills on time, never stole, cheated, was a law-abiding citizen; never drank or cursed or abused his family physically or mentally, etc.?”

My brothers and I, as well as our whole families, were greatly influenced just by observing dad’s life!

How many people in the world would have given their “right arm” (another expression used by dad) to have had such a father. I know that we were privileged to have had his influence.

On this Father’s Day I am reminded that it is not the “great things” we do that are important. Who really cares how much money we have or don’t have, what kinds of “things” we have or don’t have, what our position is or isn’t in life? These things do not influence. They may impress perhaps, but they do not impact our lives like the influence of a good father! Not only a good father, but a godly father.

Dad’s, let’s concentrate on influencing our children with our lives. Our words are important and they are needed. (Dad was not afraid of using words!) The most important thing is to life the life. “Walk the walk.”

So, my dad who came from Norway to Brooklyn, New York, when he was a boy, learned English and later became a U.S. citizen while in the U.S. Army, fought in W.W. II, married, went to college, became a pastor, raised 3 sons, remained faithful to his wife for 60 years, lived until he was 85, might not be known by a lot of people in the world, but he had and continues to have a worldwide influence! His family has ministered around the world; many people he mentored are in positions around the world influencing others; his teaching and training, for example, on “faith promises” has meant countless dollars given to missions; his “doughnuts and pastries” influenced countless numbers of prisoners. I could go on and on.

Dad, again today your influence is providing the impetus to write this blog. To let other people know that they, too, can impact other people’s lives in a positive way. Frank C. Laubach, whom you loved to read, wrote a book entitled “Prayer, the mightiest Force in the World.” Laubach said, "Prayer is undervalued by all but wise people, because it is so silent and so secret. We are often deceived into thinking that noise is more important than silence. War sounds far more important than the noiseless, growing crop of wheat; yet the silent wheat feeds millions, while war destroys them."

Dad, your life and prayers continue to impact the world through us. May we be faithful like you! That in itself will influence others!