December 20.

35 years ago

What an influential life he led.

For us ….always.

For so many others, only after he
laid hold of the Position God had in store for him.

The years from 1968-1983 were when he truly fulfilled the Plan God had put in front of him when he was about 20 years old.

He ran from it for years….
but then he RAN TO IT
and became a Great Man.

Being the runner he was,
he simply had to change the Race he was running.

He did.

We benefited.

As have scores of other guys
who are now grown men.

Today, I celebrate the day my Father entered Heaven.

I celebrate IT because he lived a full but short life that was elevated because of his commitment and surrender.

He left us with an example large enough to grow
from and into.

He exampled for us a life given over to God.

One which grew great becaue of the Race he chose to run.

He could say to Our Lord at the end of his short life…”Even though I tarried some early on…..I ran the race you put before me to the fullest, with the ability you gifted me.”

He ran three miles to five miles many, many days. He ran three miles in the morning on the day he died.

He ran as a young man.

He then ran again later as a devoted man.

He loved running.

It fulfilled him.

Through running the race set before him, and running it well…..

he fulfilled the purpose set before him and blest many people.

Me and my two brothers first and foremost.

A race well run.

A life well lived.

Alpheus James Bethea, Junior

Daddy