The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Psalm 39:18 (NIV
In 2007, after a second bout with cancer, my dad died. I realize this isn’t the most engaging starting sentence, but please stay with me.
A few months after dad passed, my wife and I were visiting with mom in the home they shared. Longing to reconnect with my father in some way, I ended up in the workshop out back, where he and I bonded over many a project.
I walked out and bumped open the door, which had been closed so long it was stuck shut. The work bench was cluttered with tools and an assortment of nuts and bolts. Dad must have left them when he no longer felt like puttering around the shop. “I NEED to tidy things up,” I thought outloud; “He had a place for everything and everything in its place.”
But I couldn’t. I simply didn’t know where all the stuff went. Standing there holding a mason jar full of orphaned stove bolts, I started to cry. But then I looked up and saw Big Mouth Billy Bass on the wall, a gift from one of my father’s fishing buddies.
I reached up and gave Billy’s red button a push, just for old-time’s sake, and he came to life: flapping his tail and singing that famous Bobby McFaren song—“Don’t Worry, Be Happy.”
But here’s the miracle, that silly fish always started at the beginning, but not today. This time God fast forwarded to the part I really needed to hear–where Billy raises his head, looks at you and sings, “🎶Don’t Worry, Be Happy🎶.”
The Lord (and my dad) wanted me to drop the mantle of over- responsibility I’d taken upon myself. It was a most comforting feeling.
Have you had a, “Big Mouth Billy Bass” type encounter with God?
I’d love to hear about it!
You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the one most dear to you.
Matthew 5:4 (MSG)
PS: today would have been dad’s 85th birthday.
Davids Daily Dose 
Comments
46 responses to “God’s Psychiatry”
Comments like yours can never come too late! I agree about the potential of stories (especially faith stories) to help and encourage each other. That’s why I started blogging!
I appreciate your reading and sharing your thoughts. Blessings.
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I know I’m late, but Billy Big Mouth Bass brought back fun memories.. My friend’s dad had one, and every now and then somebody pushed the red button. It was just so funny–standing there watching a fish sing, “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. It always gave me a laugh. Your post took me back to those days of visiting with Sue and her family.
I’m glad God broke through to give you the comfort you needed, at exactly the time you needed it. I think if we could each give our stories of how God did that for us, there wouldn’t be enough space or time to do it!
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Thank you, brother. You too!
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Have a great weekend.
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🙏🙇
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God translates for us. I understood what you meant. I’m glad you liked my little poem disguised as a comment 😀. I definitely know about ups and downs, but God is always the same. Thank you, Father!
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Actually I was wrong. Your poem was : tried to use a window like a door. Fell from the second floor. That makes it funnier. Since I used a building reference. So yeah, the Lord is funny. 😁
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Hi David. I’m back again and I’m laughing. I was feeling so dissapointed when I left my comment on your blog. I’ve has so many times when God has spoken and comforted me, but for the life of me I couldn’t come up with one off the top of my head. Probably doesn’t help that my brain is a bit tired.
Anyways, I went to pray and I was feeling so discouraged. God shifted my focus to Him. I know I will write something about that, but then I got really hard on myself because it’s one day up one day down with me. I get caught in those waves. Years ago I prayed about that, but I still get caught in those waves. Even more so now. So I’m in tears and I’m praying, and looking through my prayer journal. I had written a few notations as reminders. When I read the first one I started laughing because it brought to mind that little poem you left on my blog. This is what I wrote on August 13th:
“Worked on my prayer journal today. It was a slowly productive day. (Thankful) Slow progress is better than no progress. If I try to leap tall buildings in a single bound I’ll only be dissapointed when I hit the ground.”
😂😂😂
Yep, that’s like your poem about hitting the floor. That was definitely a God moment, so I thought you might like to know how He used you today. And thanks so much. He does comfort and remind. He is definitely faithful that way. ❤
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Yes, He definitely does cut through all the whatever. ☺ Thanks so much for the positive feedback on my poetry. I really appreciate that. I do pour my heart into it. God Bless.
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Thank you, Tina. There have been a few times in my life when it felt like God cut through all the —whatever—to speak what I needed to hear. I appreciate your kind words about my writing. Your poems, that I’ve read, are all good. There’s not a dud in the bunch. Blessings
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This was really touching. Where God is concerned there is always comfort in loss. Loss and grief is so hard, but when God speaks into our sorrows it does show us how much He cares for us. Jesus weeps too. Thanks so much for sharing. Your writing is so good! God bless you and yours, David.
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Thank you! Yes, there is no father like God! And even though I miss my earthly dad, my heavenly dad makes up the difference. Thank you for reading and commenting. Blessings.
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Happy birthday to your Dad. Quite a touching story. I am glad we always have the Father to lay it all on.
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Thank you for sharing your story. I’ve had a few “God” moments like that at times in my life. It felt like He cut through everything to send me an unmistakable message.
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Stories like yours inspire people to turn to God.
I will tell you one of mine, though I believe you already read it.
I had just gotten out of a relationship that had turned me into a liar. I decided God I was going to choose God instead of the relationship. I started to pray and asked God “Will I ever go to heaven? How can someone who lies go to heaven?”
After, I turned on a youtube video. An ad came up which had the angel Gabriel praying and addressing the viewer.
“Don’t let your story get in the way of the truth… I am going to take you home myself.”
I have never been more sure of a sign than I was then.
And it was exactly what I needed to hear.
Praise be to God.
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Amen. Me too! I still miss my dad a lot—13 years later. He was the type of person who always knew what to do. I, on the other hand, struggle with that. Blessings.
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Happy Birthday to your Dad. Thanks for sharing your story with your dad and how during a difficult time, he and God spoke to you. Most of us take it upon ourselves to carry the weight of the world. I’m guilty of that myself. We could have just entrust all to God everything from the start so as not to worry too much. I wish for us all lots of “No worries, Be Happy,” days ahead. Thanks.
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Thanks for reading and commenting, Manette. I actually have a copy of the book you mentioned! My grandparents gave it to me; it was their original copy. I borrowed the title for my post from Rev. Allen, and yes, it’s a great book on the Beatitudes. Blessings.
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I love how you recognize God ministering to you. Wonderful memoir honoring and remember your dad.
When I saw “God’s Psychiatry,” I thought it was going to be a book review because I’ve read a book with that exact title. It’s a small book by Charles L. Allen originally published in 1953. A very good read in my opinion. I used to keep several copies on my shelf to give away as gifts. Reprints can still be purchased through Amazon.
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Thanks, Deandra! God is indeed the best physician. I’m glad you enjoyed the story.
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Today was certainly the day for me to read this about the Lord’s psychiatry. Isn’t He just the best doctor? What a touching story about the legacy of your dad, David, and how wonderful the Lord began the song right where it was needed, “Don’t worry, Be Happy.”
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Thank you for your kind comment, Angela! God Bless.
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I love this so much! Thanks for sharing. He was a wonderful teacher and had such an influence (as did your mom) in many generations of kids.
Angela
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We sold my parents house after my mom died, so dad’s shop had to be cleaned out. We found lots of interesting stuff—including over 100 drill bits of all sizes. Yes, I counted them!
Thanks for sharing about your dad. My dad always knew what to do, so it’s hard sometimes being with our him.
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It’s been a year for my dad being gone. We are still finding half done projects throughout his shop and 80 acres of woods as he couldn’t do anything the last few years and hid it too long.
It’s good you know a dads wisdom and what he might do or say in our situations.
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Thank you, Alan. God Bless you, too. I always appreciate your insightful comments—especially at 1 am (Scotland time)!
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A very precious story Dave, I could imagine the moment you describe beautifully. Our Father God always finds a way of breaking into a moment at precisely the right second, even if it means using a Billy Big Mouth Bass. One thing such moments show us is that our Father God is ever present, knowing when we need Him most. God bless you brother.
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Thanks, Viv! It certainly felt like my dad (and God) were sending me a message. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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You’re welcome, Doris.
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Thank you, CG. I’m glad you could relate. I still miss my dad, and the father and son things we did. But, even today, I can still imagine what he would say about a situation I’m facing. Blessings to you.
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David,Thank you for this encouraging word. What comfort for all of us! LoveDoris
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This post really touched me. I went through something similar after my father died. He had his workshop in a barn at our place where he worked on projects. (He liked to weld big projects that he couldn’t do in his small garage in town.) For months I left everything in its place, just as he left it. Standing in that workshop mourning, I could feel God’s comforting peace. Thanks for sharing about your dad. Praying God’s peace for you as you remember him on this day.
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What a beautiful, heartfelt tribute to your dad. I love the singing fish David, it probably made him chuckle? 👍☺
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Thanks!
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Excellent.
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Yes sir, always!
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HA! I guess he didn’t! But the Light kept the lights on, didn’t he?
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Thank you David. I very much enjoy your writing.
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Thank you for sharing your friends story. It’s amazing to hear how God comforts us at just the right time and in just the right way.
I appreciate your engagement with my posts. I follow several Christian bloggers from Australia, and you’re right there at the top! God’s best to you.
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Reading this reminded me of my dear friend who lost her husband. Her daughter was then 5yrs old. She had told me that just after the funeral when she had just put her daughter to bed and was sitting there and was so overwhelmed with grief wondering how she would go on when she felt a hand on her shoulder. She thought her mom had come into the room and was trying to comfort her but there was no one and she felt such a strong presence there. She said I knew it was Jesus and knew that He would carry me through.
Thank you for sharing this David. It is a wonderful reminder of how God cares.
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I remember your post about the house sighing! I believe it, brother, and have witnessed God speaking in such a manner more than one.
One time during a revival meeting, the worship leader was singing the classic song, “Praise the Lord,” by the Imperials. Anyway, when he sang the part, “The devil is a liar…,” he gave it greater emphasis. The lights in the church flickered at that same moment. Clearly, the enemy did not like being called out like that! I’ll never forget it.
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My grandmother died of pancreatic cancer. Because my mom was an RN, she stayed at our house till my mom could no longer handle her. She suffered a lot in that back room until we put her in the hospital. One night my mom took a call from the hospital. We all stood around waiting to hear what it was for. Mom hung up and told us Grandma had just died. The house sighed. It was so unusual that I knew some “future me” would doubt it ever happened so I made a conscious effort to fix the memory in my mind, a sort of “Note to Self.” Yes, it really happened.
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Thank you, Betty. I appreciate you sharing your story of a family that God helped through a very difficult time. The fish in my story was indeed like that toy that seemed to play on cue. It’s remarkable how God uses everyday things to communicate with us. Blessings to you, Dan and family.
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Thank you, Crystal. We don’t get to pick who our parents are, and I had two pretty good ones. Blessings.
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A beautiful story. I couldn’t help but remember a similar moment I witnessed in my life. Years ago, my twin sons had a good friend. We knew the family well. The grandfather had taken the friend’s cousin (age 7) fishing. They both were killed in a car accident. As my boys’ friend’s father was preparing the eulogies for his father and his nephew, he thought, dear God, how are we ever going to get through this. At that very moment, a toy, undisturbed, being playing its music. He gave a beautiful eulogy. In time, they donated a bronze statue of the holy family for their church. But they did not put a plaque on it. They wanted people to see it and be uplifted, not reminded of a tragic story. It’s a most beautiful statue, and I will always remember how this family weathered their storm with grace and an outreach to others. I also think of the divine power of “family.” May the memories of your father comfort you on this day.
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Happy B-Day to your dad! I hope this memory carries you always.
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