Harold's 3 Biggest Decisions, amidst 1,000's of Little Moments
As I reflect on Dad’s life, I see 3 big decisions that he made that changed the course of his life (& mine) - the rest of his life was made up of 1,000’s and 1,000's of little moments that were lived out among us. Many of these stories we’ll never know unless you tell us [click the "stories" tab above & let us hear from you.]
#1 - Dad Married Mom in 1955. A 19 year old young man from White House, TN was introduced to a 17 year old cheerleader from Greenbrier (by her sister and his cousin who had gotten married.) My mom would say Dad made her a better woman; and Dad would say Mom made him a better man. Like peanut butter and jelly, they were made for each other!
#2 - Dad took a risk in 1968 at the age of 32 and joined Hilliard, Willie, & Wade Travis’s to start Western Lumber Company, White Bluff, TN. That was big - for dad and for our family.
#3 - Then at the age of 34, dad accepted Jesus Christ in 1970 as his personal savior. Growing up, dad was always a good man; even a deacon at 2 different churches, but he didn’t have faith in Jesus - he lived out cultural Christianity at it’s best; The bible collected dust and sat on our coffee table in those early years. It was surface and not heart-felt or real. But I remember, as many of you do the night Harold Faulks placed his faith in Jesus Christ at FBC in Dickson, TN; acknowledged he was a sinner, a man who could not continue to fake it and try to make his own way. It was an emotional night at church and at home when dad confessed his sin and recognized his need for a God’s forgiveness. – when he began putting his faith & hope in Jesus and not in himself - AND THAT MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE. There are many of you here who were witnesses that night and can testify with me that there was a difference in dad before and after he looked to the cross for his hope and salvation.
After that night n 1970 he lived for something else. After that, Papa’s life was an active faith in Jesus Christ lived out in little moments among those who knew him. After he began his true faith journey his life was genuine, not pretentious or hypocritical, he did for others because he understood what Christ had done for him. Dad’s life was rooted in a simple faith in Jesus Christ & his understanding of Christ’s finished work on the cross on his behalf. Dad went from being another GOOD man to becoming a GODLY man – he pursued life out of a desire to love & know God and love and serve others because he knew what God had done for him.
I had a conversation with dad in his bedroom about 3-4 years ago. He had moments when he could still carry on a conversation. [He had willingly and courageously accepted his path with Alzheimer’s. He had watched both of his parents die of Alzheimer’s and knew it was a possibility. He willingly gave up his keys when the Dr. said it was time; he quietly pulled back & graciously exited public life.] He was sitting in his chair, he had been crying – .because this is a terrible disease. I wanted to know how he felt about things. He was lonely, he was confused, he was not in control, but he knew where he was going and clearly his faith was rooted in the finished work of Christ; He was NOT afraid.
LIVING OUT HIS FAITH
When I look back over my life I am blown away by the number of times I have experienced his forgiveness; his gentleness; his generosity & love, a living example & reminder of what Christ does for us. There were several times I damaged a car, backed into someone or something and dad’s response was essentially, “It’s just a car.” I’ll give you 1 story that reflects who he was:
There was 1 weekend in the summer of 1998, we lived in Franklin, had a big yard & our grass mowing service had gone out of business & my mower would not start. It had been 3 weeks since the yard had been mowed – you needed a bush hog to cut it [It was one of those jobs where you push forward 1 step, then back 2 steps] & we had company in town. Then Dad ("Papa") showed up. I was embarrassed to ask him to come, but he knew I had a need. He brought his riding mower and weed eater. Me, Nathan, my brother-in-law began taking care of the yard; Papa then turned to repairing my mower, he got it going, then he took the blades off and sharpened them. Three hours later the job was done.
I wanted to repay him, but I couldn’t. I was so grateful. It was all out of his love and not any sense of obligation. I could never pay dad back for the things he did for me – and you know what, he never would have wanted me to pay him back – he would have been hurt and offended if I had tried. Another lesson Dad taught me – another lesson “caught, rather than taught”: I looked at that and said Thank you Jesus for helping me see more clearly what it is that you have done for me.
I didn’t realize it, but dad was a personal shepherd and example to his family as reflected in 1 Peter 5:2: ”Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.” DAD has now received that crown of glory.
Gifted, Work Ethic, Character & “He Showed Up.!”
He was super intelligent, a real thinker & planner. He was a skilled engineer & problem-solver [with only a high school education]; one of the most resourceful men I knew. The stories abound of things he has done. I have asked many times, how did he do that?!! He was amazing! He was just wired to create & build with his hands. I don’t think there was anything he couldn’t figure out and do. He held himself a high standard and pursued excellence in all he did.
Papa worked circles around most people. He loved his work and he loved to work. And it wasn’t just busy work – it was productive and efficient work. Serving others, making things happen, you saw results in the good work that dad did. He was always working; but he didn’t feel rushed and he always had time to listen to others and help those in need. He served children, the weak & feeble, those sick, those widowed or divorced, those with special needs, the orphaned. His worth was not in what he owned, nor in his strength, or skill; but in serving and loving others.
He was humble, unassuming; but one of the most reliable, consistent, intelligent men that I've ever known. His character was impeccable; Integrity at every turn. We all know he just was not conceited or greedy or selfishly ambitious. He was quick to forgive. He overlooked the sins and faults of others. He lived out what it meant to ”consider the interests of others above your own.” I’m here to testify that he was the same at home as at work as in the community. You knew you could trust him; I know I am preaching to the choir – we could all sit and tell myriad stories of little moments where Papa has served and helped us. I’m blown away by the many stories we’ve heard about dad – he showed up and made things happen.
He was a man who “showed up” – you could count on him. Stories abound:
How many times has he “showed up” and helped his kids: Rhonda, David, and Rusty and our families with house projects, problems, and disasters – I think he always figured it out and provided great solutions. Dad showed up to help friends like Larry Batson set a concrete driveway; If my Aunt Sandra were here she could tell about times dad showed up to help her as a single mom & rescue her from difficult situations; After Larry Lucas died, Dad showed up at the funeral home at the families last viewing to say goodbye to his friend 1 last time before they took the casket to the church; then he, along with a few others, helped finish Larry’s “to do” list that was left ‘undone’ at the time of his death; Dad showed up to take people like Mr. Dorsey to & from church many a Sunday, as he approached age 100; Ask Larry Scott about the bird house business dad helped him start after his illness a few years back; Dad showed up for skating at the church to help many children get their skates on and help them around the gym. He showed up to give away a vehicle or repair a plumbing or electrical problem; he delivered garden vegetables & baked goods to so many where were sick, in need, or just out of a generous heart. I wish we could hear from everyone who encountered Harold Faulks in little moments where Papa “showed up” - I'm confident that 1,000's of these stories abound.
Conclusion
Titus 2:1-2 says “Older men are to be level headed, worthy of respect, sensible, and sound in faith, love, and endurance.” Need I say more?
Dad stored up treasure for himself as a good foundation for the future, and has now taken hold of that which is truly life. I have a friend who expresses the times of life in 4 dimensions: Past, Present, Future, Eternity. The past is past; the future is outside our control. What you can do something about TODAY is the Present and Eternity. I am confident of where Dad is today, not because of his good life, but because he pursued a godly life – rooted in Jesus Christ.
Dad has been healed; He is alive and has been made whole. I'm thankful that Harold Faulks was my dad.