He was like Jethro to me...

Last week, our family buried Harley Bergren.  He had been my father-in-law for almost 50 years.  He was an Iowa farm boy who grew up to be a WW2 airplane mechanic, an honest businessman, and a faithful friend to many (including me).

The great Biblical emancipator, Moses, was carrying some massive responsibilities of leadership.  His father-in-law, Jethro, came to him one day with the idea that Moses should appoint judges to have responsibility for smaller sections of followers.  This profoundly simple idea freed up Moses from the time-consuming task of adjudicating differences of opinion.  Jethro’s encouragement made a monumental shift in Moses’ life (see Exodus 18).

Similarly, Harley was that gentle voice of encouragement for me offering profoundly simple words of advice:

-Love what you do and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.

-It is more important to give than to receive.

-Plan your work, and then, work your plan.

-Service above self.

-Lord, be with those who are less fortunate.  Let me do my part to help.

As I consider the legacy I will leave behind, I hope that my children and grandchildren will take heart in the way this good man has influenced my life (and theirs).  Harley, I miss you already!