A message From Daddy To His Chirldren
Written and read by Mrs. Shirley Burke (daughter)
at the home going service for M. Ike McCoy Sr. our beloved Father
September 15, 2012
But God!
Giving honor to God, all clergy that are present and to everyone here today, to be a support to the McCoy family
As I begin to write what I would say today, the words began to come so fast and they were clear in my heart and mind as though our daddy had something to say. As I read these words that inspired me, listen close to see if you can hear Mr. Ike’s voice as clear as I did, which brought me to tears
These are the words and the way I received them
_________________________
First of all, if Daddy was not all you wanted or
Hoped he would be, please don’t hold it against me
I made some mistakes and failed so many times
But God – gave me the strength to keep on trying
I gave all from the man I was
And to some that may not have been enough
But the road I chose was not easy, but very tough
I held on when I should have let go
And that made it even harder, I am sure you know
I tried to be strong and protect what was my own
The children God gave me, straight from His thrown
And I vowed to make your lives the best it could be
By instilling in you, all of the good in me
I know you all had to learn the hard way
With many chores, and a strong arm of discipline every day
Some of you were sad, some mad, some wanted to run away
And others wanted to stay,
But I give God glory for your lives today
Each of you is a beauty to behold
Because you know the Lord
And it’s His hand you hold
My children, you all tried to tell me
What I knew I needed in my heart
But I kept putting up the barriers
So no one would know
I wanted God in my soul
But I was too stubborn to let go
He brought me to a dark, dirty place which I did not know
And you all loved me so much, and wouldn’t let go
Your words were always sweet and kind
And all I did was make your hearts hurt more and more
But don’t be sad for – God had a plan,
Not to leave me in such a forsaken place
He spoke to my heart and I had to obey
As I looked at the end of my days
I lay on that sick bed with no where to go
And my children came and comforted me
And my heart began to soar
It soared so high I wanted to let go
Of all that I owned and knew before
But God was there saying not now I must clean your soul.
He sent me help right on time and
All I could do was nod in my mind.
I could hear the words that were like water
Washing over me, like sweet billows roll
I agreed to what I now knew to be true
“Jesus loved me, He died for my sins and He rose again
And is at the right hand of the Father
Ever interceding for me” – how could I say NO!
I drifted off into a peaceful sleep
But I knew there was more that I needed to do
The sweet words came again and this time God gave me Strength to repeat them from my heart
“I believed Jesus died for my sins
And I asked Him to forgive me for all the bad things I’d been
And to come into my heart, and make me new again
I could feel His sweet presence all around me in that bed
And wanted to shout but the sound wouldn’t come out
In my consciousness I spent time with the Father
In my own way and as you look upon me today
Just know I am in a better place
Maybe I didn’t get saved the way everyone wanted me to
But God is a good God and in His own way
He saved me to
I have been forgiven and I am resting in peace
So dry your eyes and don’t you weep –
God’s got me and it’s for keeps
I often thought about this day and how it would be
But God knows I no longer care, for I am at peace
Don’t make a big fuss over what I was, what I did,
Where I went or what I hid
Praise God with me
With a shout in your song
Rather than long drawn out moans
For you see, I am a child of God
That’s gone on home to cheer you on
To my children this I want to say
Verdell, you are the oldest, and could always see through me I am sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable when you came to the house. I was fighting for my life but didn’t know how
To ask for help. Thanks for not giving up on me
Irma, you are my first born and you were there by my side until the end and God will reward you for all that you did
Shirley, you remind me so much of your mother and just like her you never gave up on me. I thank God for using you to save me
Dorothy, you know I love you and I am glad the rift between Us, God had already mended
Fred, thanks for confirming what I put you through, that it was all worth it to hear you say
I help make you the man you are today
Lottie, we’ve had our ups and downs but you were there for me when no one else was around. You came every day to see me and loved me like I needed to be loved
Charles, I know you would have come had you been able to and I thank God He didn’t take you before me
Troy, many years ago we made our peace and I am thankful that you always came to see about me
Blanche, you were mum to everyone and very special to me you understood and believed when everyone else let me be
Ike Jr., my son named after me, I put you in charge because I knew you would follow my instructions to the tee
Irvin, I could always count on you and Delores to come see about me and you never held my guilt against me
Michael, you are so much like your mother, full of laughter and love for others. I am glad you found a wife to live with the rest of your life
Pattie Ann, I am so sad I was not able to see you when you got sick, so please forgive daddy for the mistakes he made
Jessie, my baby girl – what a joy it was to see your face and I Want to thank you for trusting in God to be what you need in Your life
Anthony, the last son of my youth and I am grateful for the Man of God you have become for we know life wasn’t always this sweet. I cherished our talks for they kept
Me hanging on.
Last but not least –
Alvin, I never dis-owned you and I am glad you found your Rightful place among your sisters and brothers – they are your family. I am sorry if you ever felt neglected in anyway, and I hope you can believe I did the best I could always.
To my grandchildren and great grandchildren, these are the Words I have for you. Grand-daddy maybe didn’t get to take you over your lesson, but I am sure your mothers and fathers have not forgotten how to lay down the law.
Be obedient, work hard, don’t lie, steal or cheat, seek after Good, be strong and serve God so your days upon the earth Will be long. Grand Daddy loved you all so much and maybe I didn’t get to show it, but look at your parents and you will come to know of me bit by bit.
To my family Caddie and all of her lovely daughters and sons, thanks for taking care of me when everyone else seem to be gone. Your kindness has not gone unnoticed and your reward will be rich because God waste no pain.
Now listen to Daddy –
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there.
I am resting in the Father’s arms,
No more aches and no more pain,
My suffering is over and a new life
I’ve gained.