Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. Hebrews 12:3
I wrote the following poem on August 10, 1980 while Neil and I were on a camping trip with my mother and father to the East Coast of Canada. We had stopped in Ottawa to watch the ‘Changing of the Guard’ in front of the Parliament Buildings. It was one of the highlights of a trip full of wonderful memories.
November is a time of year that we honor our Veterans who have died fighting in wars so that we may live in peace and freedom. There were also many men who were not able to go and fight because of age or medical problems, so they stayed home looking after their families and doing whatever they were able to do to help out their country.
My father, was one of these men who was unable to enlist, but took his responsibility to his country and the protection of his family very seriously. He was a perfect example of a father who not only provided for our bodily care and safety, but also for their spiritual well being. A perfect example of a loving earthly father who made it so easy for me to see and accept my heavenly Father.
My earthly Father died on January 20, 1990 at the age of eighty-four after many years of faithful service to his family and his country. I often look back and thank my heavenly Father for the earthly father He gave to me because, it prepared me for ‘The Changing of the Guard’! The Guard change from my earthly father to my Heavenly Father who cares even more about my well being.
How about you? Have you been able to change your guardianship from your earthly father to your Heavenly Father? Jesus died so that you can make that change.
Change your Guard today! Syb Brodie
THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
I watched the Parade on Parliament Hill
The men in red gave us all such a thrill
The crowd watched as they left, and they right
Guns all ready with no one to fight.
My Dad and my Mom stood and watched eyes aglow
As the band played the tunes they kept time with their toe
And the young man beside me whispered loud the commands
As he became Soldier with gun in his hand.
With tall black fur hats the ritual they followed
Never missing a step as the Sergeant hollered
They turned heads to left when told, then to right
Then back straight ahead guns held very tight.
The band took a rest while Inspection was done
And the man in Command looked into each gun
Again marched the Soldiers bayonets in their hands
The Pageantry gave all a pride in our land.
Once again the band struck up a good beat
The Soldiers all lined up and marched down the street
The young man beside me disappeared in the crowd
As he followed the Soldiers his commands whispered loud.
I looked to find Mom and Dad to see how
They liked the Parade and Guard Change just now,
I could tell as they smiled from their ear to their ear
They had a great time and were filled with good cheer. Syb Brodie