Tribute to Dad
Jay's Tribute
Dad would often be asked, "Pastor Potts, How do I know what the will of God is in my situation?" Dad would answer that the will of God is usually the next obvious step. That what dad did - he took the next obvious step for him and for us.
It was one thing to know my dad personally – it is another to know the people that he loved – each one of you. In his life it was his strongest desire that every person he came into contact with would not only see but be able to know and reach their full potential. Whether he was preaching from a platform, sharing to a small group or having a one-on-one, his unselfish desire was that you would know the love of God and know you are able to rise to the call. Anyone who identified with or belonged to a fellowship that he guarded and guided knows the spirit of community that dad spent his entire being nurturing so that it would reach its full potential.
These days’ people talk about ‘planting churches’, building funds, having the right music team or the biggest hall with the most people. In dad’s heart and mind the purpose of his existence was to build communities - groups of people who would love and support each other - communities where every individual knows their value and importance as part of the whole. That is the very expression of the Kingdom of God on this earth. That Kingdom that is in each one of us. You may think of that time of community that was here in Gippsland during the 70s as only a memory but the fact that you lived it and know it, means that it is still here – waiting for another opportunity to express itself.
It is difficult to say that dad is gone because all I have to do is look around the room to see him again. I hear his words. I see his passion. I know his love. There are some in this wonderful gathering who only knew dad in his later years and did not get to see him in those days when he was busy at work fulfilling his purpose. Even his own grandchildren may have missed out on the blessing of being a part of that special time we shared. I encourage you to ‘in your minds and hearts’ revisit those days and rekindle them. They weren’t a fleeting moment of the past but a promise of the future – a future that can be rekindled as soon as you are ready. If you didn’t know dad back then talk to those who were there so you too can understand and appreciate a dream that is achievable now. A community of love, friendship, inclusiveness, faithfulness, acceptance, forgiveness, faith with a belief in others and the potential they were created to live up to as living expressions of the King and His Kingdom.
Dad was a great one for quotes and some of my favourites were:
- Life is like a game. There are those playing the game, those watching the game and those who don’t even know there is a game on – Which one are you?
- Don’t be a follower – blaze a trail so others can follow you
- All it takes for evil to prevail is for good men to do nothing
- See the need, meet the need, don’t wait to be asked
- Always leave the place better than you found it
That’s what my dad did – he left this place better than he found it.