Tribute to my Dad

A tribute to my dad, Martin Heppner How fitting to pay tribute to one who though living with many shortcomings and insecurities, had a very positive influence on my life. My Dad didn’t have many of the privileges growing up we had. Much of what he did was part of his growing up and I’m sure he did the best he knew how even if some attitudes and ideas were not what we would have wanted. He was born near Lowe Farm, MB at home into a family of 9 children with Dad being number six. He received his education in a small country school, Steinfeld School. He loved his studies, even completing two grades in a year. If given the chance he would have gone on to higher education but he had to quit in the spring while in grade eight. I guess this why he wanted his children to be good students and always rejoiced with us at any educational accomplishment we made. Growing up in a home where little love was shown by his father he became the protector of his mother and covered his insecurities with his outgoing personality. He made the most of the situations he was in and had little patience with those who didn’t measure up. This would show up when one of us didn’t do our schoolwork well. Later, in his teens his parents moved to Kane. Here he drove the school van and worked on several farms. George Moffats at Roland became his favorite place to work. Both our parents were working here when they got married. The Moffats were like parents to them and always kept in touch through the years. His strong work ethic stood him in good stead and he made sure he passed this on to us. He always expected us to do our best and was disappointed when we didn’t. Growing up in the depression, his family learnt to work hard and appreciate the little things in life. In those days he earned fifty cents for 10 – 12 hours of hard work. Cars were unheard of and so walking a few miles was never a big problem. I think they were just as happy as we are now with so much more. After marriage they moved quite often until they settled down on his dad’s farm at Kane after his mom died. They looked after him until his passing. This was really tough for them, but he was able to lead him to the Lord shortly before he passed away. Dad accepted Christ in his early twenties before they were married and continued to grow spiritually in our growing up years. Some of struggles and victories left lasting impressions on my young mind. I remember him struggling with apologizing for taking a candy bar years earlier and the joy and victory when he finally did it. Then there was his secret habit of smoking which he finally had victory over. I saw what to do to live right and I desired to live for the Lord. I remember the change spiritually after voluntary service at the Gospel Missionary Union in Kansas. Family devotions became important and have always had a place in our home after that. It was in witnessing these changes that I learnt important spiritual lessons. One incident Dad told us about, I’ll never forget was about the time their finances were so low and he didn’t know where the next bag of flour would come from. One morning he was particularly depressed. Coming to the house from the barn he felt a hand on his shoulder. Turning around he saw Jesus standing on top of the barn visible from his waist down. He said his worries disappeared in an instant. Shortly after a neighbor came and bought some grain. Incidences like this have left a lasting impression on my mind. I was the oldest of seven children. With so many little ones to look after, Mom didn’t have a lot of time for me. I would spend a lot of time reading, etc. It was Dad that would sometimes notice when I was down and made a point of talking to me to see if I was OK. I know he felt awkward doing it at times but I knew he cared. His concern for others who didn’t know the Lord was something I witnessed. We had an older couple living near us who didn’t have a family. Dad often dropped in there and chatted with them. He had opportunity to share Christ with them and lead them to the Lord. I remember the joy Dad had as he shared this when he came home that day. I think Dad would have been a teacher if he could have and so shared in my joy when I got my first school. I think for each of us he wanted us to do the best we could at what interested us. When I needed a car for my first teaching job he went shopping with me and helped me buy it. He loaned me the money to buy it and taught me what I needed to know about taking care of it. Concern over the spiritual well being of his children was a high priority. He and Mom prayed for all of us and rejoiced in spiritual growth and good decisions on our part. But, also when things went wrong in our lives he agonized, prayed and tried to help. He never got to see my brother going to church and serving the Lord but after his death that prayer was answered. The grand children were a special joy. Each one had a special nickname and there were always energy pills (candies) in the cupboard when we went to visit. Dad was human and had many weaknesses (just as we all do) and sometimes there were hurts about how things were done or something that wasn’t done. It is in remembering the positive and forgiving the negatives that the route to blessing and healing of those hurts lie. I know my own family now will have to and are over looking my own short comings and forgiving where I have failed them. I thank God for this heritage.