Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God

"Anxious To Meet Father"

Ross Walker, Jr. is one of those Americans we call "the Greatest Generation". Yes, he fought in World War 2, like hundreds of thousands of others. He was stationed in Germany, like so many others, for a long period of time. When he left Germany to return to the United States, he had no idea he had fathered a child.

Elvira Rypacek is that daughter Ross never knew. She grew up not knowing a father; her mother, Maria, never spoke of him. Shortly before her death in 1992, Maria gave Elvira what little information she had about Walker: a photograph of a handsome soldier and his name. His whereabouts for the past half-century were unknown to her.

For years Elvira tried in vain to locate Ross Walker. Finally, with the help of an organization called GI Trace, Walker was found living in Charlotte, NC. When Ross found out he had a daughter, he was 88 years old. His age didn't keep him from being excited to meet Elvira. "When is she coming home?" he asked. She had a home there, he explained, "because her daddy is in Charlotte." Do I need to tell you it was a tearful meeting? (http://wfae.org/post/german-daughter- finds-meets-her-world-war-ii-american-gi-father)

You and I also have a Father we've not yet met in person. Yes, we've heard much about Him; He is remarkable in every way. He is the One who made us, and His love for us is legendary. John describes it in this way: "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins" (1 John 4:10).

Some who learn about this Father want to meet Him. They, like Elvira Rypacek, begin seeking Him. But will they have success? Paul argued that we can have success: "... So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us" (Acts 17:27).

To actually be brought to this Father, though, will require assistance. Thankfully, Jesus promises just that: "In My Father's house are many mansions; ... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; ... I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:2,3,6).

And then - one day - we who follow this Way will see God. That's the hope Jesus gives us: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8). Do we even need to speculate on what our emotions will be on that day? Tears of joy will surely flow, for finally we will have met, face to face, our Father!

Timothy D. Hall