sighed as I maneuvered my car down the street where my 78 year old father lived. I loved my father, but didn't look forward to the rage, insults and profanity that awaited me.
"Daddy, why is Grandpa so grouchy?" my daughter asked from the backseat. Heather had more wisdom than most 14 year olds, but I hesitated to burden her with the whole truth.
"Grandpa doesn't know Jesus," I finally said as my wife, MaryJo, reached for my hand, a gentle gesture of support.
We often visited Dad Sundays after church, yet sometimes I wondered why. Dad was a bitter man, cursing life, God, and the TV evangelists he watched every Sunday. My own faith just encouraged Dad's poisonous tirade. Nearly every visit ended as Dad's screams of hatred sent us reeling from his presence.
I shouldn't have been surprised. His violent outbursts were nothing new.
As I drove, I caught a glimpse of Heather in the rearview mirror, and I recalled an experience I'd had when I was her age.
My younger brother and I had been awakened, just after midnight, by the familiar sounds of my father beating my mother. She cried for mercy as his fists and curses found their target with a practiced accuracy. The sounds of violence broken glass, weeping, angry curses, the scuffle of bodies amid household items wielded as weapons or plied as protection stirred in me a heady mix of helplessness and fear, boldness and resolve, love and terror.
"You take this bat, I'll grab the other one, and let's go get him," I whispered fiercely through my tears.
Moments later my brother and I blazed into the living room, pajama clad warriors fueled by fear and love, and my dad pulled away from our mother, distracted and embarrassed by our bravado.
Shaking off the memory, I pulled into Dad's driveway and turned off the ignition. I turned to my family and arranged a smile, sad but sincere. "No doubt we'll be kicked out within the hour, but until then, let's do our best to show Grandpa some love. "
In so many ways my life couldn't be better. I had a wonderful wife, precious children and a thriving business: I had an enviable contract with the military that allowed me to operate a sandwich shop on Camp Pendleton.
As a child, I had accepted Jesus as my Savior, and my faith meant a lot to me throughout my turbulent childhood. Yet as an adult, I couldn't quite trust God. Sure, I prayed about problems, but I usually tried to solve them myself rather than waiting for God's direction.
My relationship with my dad was a prime example. I had done everything in my power to make that relationship work. I had been nice long enough. Now I was ready to give Dad what he seemed to want, which was to be left alone to sour in peace.
Naturally, God had other plans.
In 1985 a friend invited me to go to a Christian businessmen's dinner meeting. During the dinner, I realized I was observing some of the happiest people I had ever seen, men demonstrating a real excitement about life and their faith in Jesus. At the end of the evening, there was an invitation to go forward for prayer.
I was a Christian, but I yearned for the kind of intimate relationship with Jesus these men had, and I went forward for prayer.
I didn't know anything about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Someone explained to me that with the indwelling of God's own Holy Spirit in my life would come new intimacy and power, and I prayed to receive this gift.
The next day I woke with a new hunger for God burning in my heart! I also experienced startling evidence of the Holy Spirit's new role in my life when I opened my mouth to pray and began speaking in an unknown language! God was beginning to get my attention. Now he had a few things to tell me.
A number of years later I was praying in my home office when I heard the voice of God. It wasn't audible, but I knew it was Him. He asked, "Are you willing to let me lead you in life and business?"
I was confused. "I thought I was already doing that. "
But God knew the truth.
"Trust me," he whispered, "and I will never leave you. I will lay out a new path for you. I will take care of you."
A short time later I was driving home late when I felt a strong nudging to talk to my dad about Jesus.
I scoffed. "Lord, you can't be serious. I told you already, I've done everything humanly possible. I can't do it anymore. I've given up."
The thought came, "I never gave up on you. Go one more time. "
I arrived at my dad's house around ten o'clock. "Lord, give me wisdom," I prayed.
Dad was surprised to see me. But instead of lecturing him, I began to listen. The Lord prompted me to simply ask Dad questions about his life. Dad always liked talking about himself, and tonight was no exception. Before long, the questions began to deepen.
"Dad, was there ever any time in your life you thought God was directing you? Spared your life? Tried to get your attention?"
Eventually the conversation turned to my childhood. I told him I forgave him for past hurts. I told him that, before Mom died, she had gotten on her knees and asked God to forgive her for any bitterness toward Dad.
I asked Dad if he had ever committed his life to Jesus, and if he wanted to do it now. He began to cry. He said "yes," and we prayed.
The following Sunday I took MaryJo and the kids to see Dad. He was watching Christian television when we arrived, and when the evangelist asked if anyone wanted to accept Jesus, Dad turned to my children and beamed. "That's my Lord. Jesus is my Lord and Savior!"
Dad lived for two more years before dying of cancer. But his life is just beginning, really, as he continues getting to know the God he now calls Father.
It took me a little longer to trust God with my business. But he's proven himself faithful in that arena as well. Just before Dad died, Camp Pendleton decided that what the Marines needed was a Subway Sandwich Shop, and they cancelled MY contract. I was out of business! What's worse, through a strange set of circumstances, I wasn't able to bid on the new Subway franchise being planned.
Once again, I had come to the end of my human resources. I began to pray: "Lord, what's happening? You told us to trust you. Well, here we are!"
Within months, the Lord miraculously opened the door for me to bid on and win! the new contract. Out of 12,896 Subway Stores around the world we are now operating one of the highest volume stores. God has blessed me with I I Subway sandwich stores, 3 Pizza huts, and a Burger King.
Does God care? You bet. Whether we are facing challenges in our relationships or in our business, He's ready to bless us. But we have to trust Him. We have to stop trying to do it all ourselves. And we have to learn to listen, learning to recognize and obey the still, small, voice of the One we are privileged to call Father.
Entrepreneur Bill Keith Bill is also President of
Faith Transportation Inc.
FTI is a nationwide full service trucking company.
Bill and MarJo Keith live with their five children
in Bonsall, California.
The Keith family attends the
Living Waters Christian Fellowship
in Fallbrook, CA.