Let me first introduce myself: I was born August 22, 1917 in Sisseton, SD. I graduated from the Sisseton High School, and three years later, I completed a course at North Central Bible School in Minneapolis, MN.
September 20, 1946, I married Chester Osland and together we pastored churches in North Dakota. God blessed us with three children whom we dearly love. The Lord took Chester Home to Heaven, July 16, 2003, and since that sad day, I've lived alone. It seems my children's love is more abundant now, probably because I'm alone.
Their visits, phone calls, e-mail, gifts and prayers are such a blessing to me. I've said to them, "I mothered you and now you mother me."
I'm aware there are lonely parents whose children never come to see them. Days and years go by and there are no phone calls, no cards and these lonely parents wait and wonder where that child may be.
Dear friend, if you have a living parent or parents whom you have "put on the shelf" and have made no effort to see them, I admonish you to head homeward. Ask God to help you and direct you. A package of forgiveness and love and both that lonely parent and you will be blessed.
Dear Sister Opsal,
ReplyDeleteI am Loretta Steiger and my husband and I had the privilege of meeting you at a restaurant in Colorado Springs when you were with your daughter and family. Ryan gave us your blog link.
Your writing is wonderful - elegant prose, thoughtful phrasing, and meaningful content. This gentle admonishment to care for our elderly is so needed. We have one living parent now (my mother) and I consider it such a privilege to care for her needs.
We love Bob and LeAnn and we are so proud of Ryan's work at our son's church. You are leaving such a wonderful heritage.
God bless you this day,
Loretta Steiger
Hi Avis,
ReplyDeleteAfter I read this first blog, I called my parents and went to Bismarck to see them. I had not seen them since Christmas and it was time.
Thanks for the reminder of the importance of parents!
You are a dear woman I remember from Lakewood Park Bible Camp in the 1950's through the present. Your children, their families, and particularily Ryan Bachman are stellar people.
World changers - like YOU!