Ken Roesler - continued

During the memorial service for Ken Roesler the following, from his two daughters, was read by one of the pastors of their church. Both Michelle and Jenny and their children have OK'ed my sharing this with you. This is a further insight into a man who believed and lived what it means to be a leader according to Jesus. "If there is one thing that we inherited from our Dad it is the ability to make lists! He loved to write down what needed to be done, bills that needed to be paid, calls he needed to make, or items to be purchased. Every day was an opportunity to make a new list! For you to see with lists, you need never lose track of what needs to be accomplished. So, as we share our thoughts with you today about our dad, it would be fitting to share them in list form. It is a list of what scripture says about being a dad and our thoughts about how dad accomplished each one of these references Scripture says: 1. Don't provoke your children (Ephesians 6:4) Dad did the alternative, he taught and raised us to be young people of faith. 2. Be your child's 'First Teacher' (Proverbs 2:2-6) Dad trained us in the way we should go. not the school, not the government. HE did the teaching, the teaching according to scripture. 3. Dads need to exemplify a good life (II Cor. 3:2-3) Scripture teaches that who we are and how we live is like a 'letter from God', We read that letter, every day, by the way that dad lived his life. 4. Provide for your family (I Timothy 5:6) Dad made sure our family's needs were addressed across the board and beyond. 5. Good dads discipline their children (Proverbs 13:24) The one who loves their children, scripture says, 'is careful to discipline them.' This is also about proactive leadership in our homes. Ok, maybe mom got first crack at the discipline, but dad saw to it that we understood why we were punished and that above it all he still loved us. 6. Dads spend time with their children, and not empty time (Duet. 6:6-9) Dad engaged us in the kind of deep, heart-to-heart conversations that impart more than facts, but dad taught wisdom. He made family time that counted. 7. Compassion is a 'dad' characteristic (Psalms 103:13) As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion.' Dad showed us his compassion as he exhibited kindness in many forms to so many different people. And it was genuine... 8. Put your money where your mouth is. (James 2:22) Well, not in those exact words. But,James instructs us to not be 'hearers' of God's word, but "doers' also. Dad showed us what it means to go out and live Christ to others. Whether to be supporting a missionary or standing on Grand River holding an anti-abortion sign. 9. Dads never give up on their kids (Luke 15:20-24) The story of 'The Prodigal Son' is the story of a father who never gives up hope and is ready to receive his child back with open arms. Dad could discipline and hold us accountable, but he never gave up on us. His arms were always wide open. 10 Dads pray for their children (I Chronicles 29:19) We know without a doubt that dad prayed for us every day, because we own such a deep sense of love and security. "There is our list. And dad accomplished every one of these scriptural requirements. The two of us Roesler girls know that we were not only fortunate ones to experience these qualities that dad expressed through his life. Dad lived this list out with our husbands, with his grandchildren, and we are sure with some of you sitting here today. Dad showed us just a taste of who our heavenly Father is and that is why he was the BEST earthly DAD to us. Oh, the love of a father. And this is why we will miss him more than any list could ever keep track of ..." I had the honor of going to Ethiopia with Ken and Michelle, and several others, and to watch all the above happen! Ken, daughter Michelle, Michelle's son Ian and Ian's 2 month old son David --- all one family, four generations --- I am so deeply honored with the opportunity and the responsibility to still help to mentor! .

On Saturday many, many of us will gather for a Memorial Service in honor of a good and great friend Ken Roesler. In gathering we will get Ken "back".  In his book "ONE HUNDRED MUSINGS - From a journey with Jesus" by Kent Hotaling. He  wrote about two of his very close friends, Kelly and Bill.

"In these times of great loss being together brings renewal of life.  We remind each other that death is the grace of God that allows those he loves to move fully into his presence with out all that we have to deal with on earth - so that is a partial comfort.  It is a comfort to hold each other and to weep together but the surprising thing to me is:  We get them back.  It takes time, but eventually the memories that initially cause such pain become a reconnecting with this person who means so much to us. I don't need the question, "What would Jesus do/"  Because I have often thought, "What would Kelly say?" Or what would Bill or John or Shari on on and on ... do or say?  In September of 2014, a group of us gathered in Arnprior, Ontario to remember Bill Bussiere who had been died 20 years before.  We told stories with humor and pathos and of wisdom imparted as we celebrated the way God had use him in each of our lives.  We got him back!" p86

Ken was a companion for 35 years.  He and Nancy helped to shape our lives, and we theirs. Ken and I "walked together", respected each others and loved the same Jesus.

I watched  Ken in his professional and personal life.  Worked with him on a couple of  non-profit boards, traveled with him to China and Ethiopia. When in China one of our friends asked, "What position did Ken have in General Motors?" So, we asked Ken.  His very humble response was,"Of the 800,000 employees of G.M. I was in the top 1500."  Ken served people who needed Ken's expertise.  He did not covet their jobs. He helped them to be successful, to climb the corporate ladder! In his book WE by Robert Johnson, he wrote, "When two things are muddled together they need to be separated so that they may be rejoined in a workable synthesis... analysis must always serve synthesis in order to serve life.  What is taken apart must be put back together."p.49

Even when he thought a "lateral move" inside G.M. was the end of his career, the move turned into a even greater career - a career of true leadership in the corporate world.

In his church the influence of his life sheltered and helped pastors, shaped whole mission philosophy and practices. On boards he guided agenda and brought wholeness to the endeavor. Ken could analyse but he never stopped there, he knew that bringing back together was the role of analysis.  So many lesson he taught me in this regard!

I learned many lesson during our journey together as disciples of Jesus.  Wilma and I were drawn to tears when we saw this picture of Ken. A gentle, confident, complete person.

Ken was a "Kingdom of God"  person - maybe this is his real title!  .