last days don't last

I considered digging up an old photo of my father at work, black and white, bad hair, behind a typewriter (for the cliche' effect) or sitting on a box reading (this one actually exists), but maybe no picture better exemplifies a life's work than the one shown on the right. How pleasing must it be to have a legacy that both fulfills a calling and that will live on for ages. My father wraps up 42 years with InterVarsity Press today and these 2,500 book are a sampling of the publications he has had a hand in.

Reading never came easy to me, it was difficult and because of that fact I really disliked it growing up. My father, whose livelihood hinged upon people's love for reading and thirst for knowledge, worked hard to instill in me a love for books by improving my aptitude while not pushing me past the breaking point. In fact, he encouraged my love for reading by making sure there were always books around that I would enjoy and he would even trick me into reading, "this is a manuscript we are considering to publish, I need your input". He knew how to work me.

Athletics was my forte as a youth but all the trophies I earned are stored away in a box. The only trophies I now have on display are the books I have read. It is a reminder of the struggle and eventual joy of reading I have found, a reminder of knowledge acquired.  Christe gives me grief every time she clears off our book shelves and I refuse to let her get rid of my little tokens of victory.

Recently my dad posted these before and after pictures on Facebook of the bookshelf in his office. I was sad. How could he just give away all those trophies representing a life of accomplishment? It soon dawned on me that even though this is my father's last day at work, his influence doesn't end here. What he has done over 42 years is eternal in nature and no book shelf can embody.

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind". - Isaiah 65:17