Whose Punishment Is It?

My Mom bought a piano when we lived in the Arroyo Grande house.  She liked to play and also have us kids learn to play. It's a beautiful AcroSonic upright piano.  Now I have to tell you that my folks always took very good care of the things they purchased and still have many things that were bought years ago and they are in pristine condition.  

One day as I sat at the piano I started picking at the decal that said AcroSonic just above middle C.  Not even thinking I continue to fiddle with it until a large part of it was gone.  Suddenly I woke up and realized that I was going to be in big trouble.

I also need to tell you that Dad had the eyes of an Eagle and super sonar sensitivity to the things he owned.  Almost as soon as he walked in the door from work he said, "Who scratched the S off the piano!" Like most young kids around the age of 10 I didn't want to experience the garage. So I blamed it on the first person that came to mind because I thought he would be too young to spank!  My baby brother Jim!

I have an older brother Tom and two younger brothers, Steve and Jim. My two other brothers knew they didn't do it and I didn't often lie to my Dad so they assumed I was telling the truth.  Jim protested in the strongest way a three year old could but it was to no avail.  

Instead of going into the garage my Dad chose to spank Jim right there in front of us.  Poor Jimmy!  My initial triumph at fooling Dad began to sour my stomach.  It became all knotted and I started feeling ill.  Jim was then sent to his room. I went to mine saying I wasn't feeling well.

I laid on my bed and began to cry. I prayed.  "God, I know what I did was wrong.  I know I need to go tell Dad the truth.  You need to make me strong enough because I know I am going to get an even worse spanking for making Jimmy suffer for what I did!"  After I dried my tears I gathered up all the braveness I could muster....which wasn't much but enough.... and went into see Dad.

"Dad, Jimmy didn't do that to the piano, I did." I said softly with down cast eyes.  "I'm ready to take my punishment."

I waited.  Dad looked at me and saw how I was suffering, and believe me, I was suffering!  It would have been better to take the initial spanking and get it over with.  Then he surprised me. "It seems you have suffered enough.  However, you need to go make things right with Jimmy."

I threw myself into Dad's arms and said, "I'm so sorry Dad.  I promise never to do this again!"  He gave me a warm hug and then I went to face my little brother.  Being so little he was ready and willing to forgive me and gave me a warm hug too.  

Repentance is difficult, but the forgiveness I received was very freeing.  My soul, instead of being burdened and heavy, was now free to rejoice.  I never blamed anyone for something I did again.

I am reminded how Jesus took my punishment for me.  I read Isaiah 53 with different eyes now.  Christ took on all the sins of the world and died of a broken heart.  I am one who helped break it.  However, Christ was victorious over sin and made it possible for me to have forgiveness and participate in the freedom and joy of the heavenly kingdom.

I walked into the living room of my folks home in Santa Maria today.  There against the wall is the AcroSonic piano.  The S is still gone along with parts of other letters.  It is a reminder of what Dad taught me.  I'm looking forward to seeing him again on the resurrection day and thanking him for being such a good Dad!

Life Sketch of Paul Nazario

Senior picture at AUC.

Paul Nazario was born on June 22, 1922 to Andres and Susana Nazario in Puerto Rico. He was the third of 9 children. Dr. Dunscomb, who delivered Dad, encouraged Andres to bring his family to the US, so when Dad was a young child the family migrated and settled in Melrose Mass.

Dad graduated from Melrose High School in 1940.  In the fall of that year he enrolled in Atlantic Union College but six months later he was drafted into the Navy.  Because of his terrible seasickness he asked to be put in another branch of the service.  Dad was honorably discharged from the Navy and three days later drafted into the Army where he served as a Medic in France.

After Dad’s tour of duty was completed he went back to AUC to complete his BA degree.  While there he met Anne Elizabeth Ferris, a beautiful young nursing student, and decided he’d better keep her.  They were married September 11, 1949. Thomas Paul was born 1 year later. 

After Dad’s graduation he moved his new family to California in a one-wheeled trailer.  That is an interesting story.  Needless to say the trailer didn’t make it to Loma Linda CA but they did. Dad enrolled in the Physical Therapy program at LLU. In 1953 Dad graduated from Physical Therapy and Susanne Louise was born.  Dad decided to switch careers on the advice of a beloved teacher so he entered the second class at the new School of Dentistry at LLU. 

Stephen John was born in 1957. Not sure how that happened as Mom worked nights while Dad studied and went to school during the day. In 1958 Dad graduated and moved his family to Arroyo Grande and set up practice in the old theater building on Broadway in Santa Maria.  James Edward was born in 1960, (the last of the most beautiful children born to any one. Well, until the grandchildren started showing up.)

Dad eventually moved his office to Chapel Street where he practiced his Dentistry until he retired.

In 1967 Dad and Mom built their home in Lake Marie, just outside of Santa Maria. It has been their home for the past 47 years.  Here Dad enjoyed golfing, traveling, riding his bike, photography, baseball (and other sports),crafting fine furniture, and working in the yard.  He loved his home and family along with being a big support to the Arroyo Grande Junior Academy and church and Loma Linda School of Dentistry.  He built the steeple for the church that still stands today.

Dad retired in 1987.  He did a lot of traveling with Mom in and out of the country. There are photo albums full of their adventures with their friends or family.  As the years rolled by Dad preferred staying home more and spent a lot of time in his “orchard”.  He shared his bounty with anyone who would take it.  He often took boxes of fruit down to the Salvation Army or Food Center or to give away at church. 

 

Dad suffered from terrific pain in his knees, probably from being a catcher on his baseball team in high school and in the army.  This slowed him down in the later years, but if asked how he was feeling he would always say, “I feel fine!”  We are seriously considering having that statement engraved on his Urn! He rarely complained about his physical being.
 

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Dad was also very patriotic. He loved listening to the Mormon Tabernacle choir sing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Bless America”.  He would tear up as he listened to them. He loved his country and we were very appreciative for his service.

On March 14, 2014 Dad passed away peacefully at the Gentle Care Home. He had the chance to see each of his children and some grandchildren and share a special time with them in the few weeks and months preceding his death. We feel blessed to have had him as our Dad and he will be missed greatly.  But we know that we will be reunited at the resurrection.  So - until then, rest in peace Dad.  We love you.

Being Seasick Can Save You!

My Dad was inducted into the Navy during WWII.  He lasted 72 hours!  Yup! Three days! When he talked with the commanding officer Dad told him that he shouldn't be in the Navy - he just got way too seasick! So Dad was honorably discharged and redrafted into the Army.  Still, that didn't save Dad.  When it was time for him to be shipped out they meant exactly that- shipped - on a ship. 

On the way to France, where he was to serve as a Physical Therapist Medic, he was definitely seasick and spent much of his time hanging over the railing.  Once on dry land he was able to do his job as a physical therapist for the recovering wounded. He also went shopping and was able to procure some parachute silk for his Mom who loved to sew.  He also got her some French perfume.  He placed his gifts in a trunk or duffel and stored it under his bed in a cabin he shared with several other soldiers.  The rest of the money he earned while in the Army he sent home to his parents for safe keeping.

When the war was over and Dad was sent home honorably discharged he had to return by, you guessed it, a ship.  Many cruise ships were used to transport troops back and forth.  Dad was on one of those ships.  You can guess where he spent most of his time.  While Dad was cruising the railing there was a terrific jolt.  In the night the cruise ship hit an iceberg. It tore a hole in the side of the ship right were Dad's room was and his precious gifts went into the sea.

Fortunately the ship was able to contain the flood of water and the ship limped into port.  I guess one could say that being seasick saved Dad's life.  I don't think anyone was hurt either.  I'm sure Dad's folks kept him and his brother, Andy, and sister, Mary, in prayer as they served their country.  God granted their prayer and all three returned home safe and sound.

I want to thank them for their service to our country to keep us free from tyranny and oppression.  We have enjoyed many years of freedom.  Unfortunately the new generation doesn't seem to care as much about those precious freedoms that cost so much American and Ally blood to protect. I am grateful for those who do get it and are willing to continue to serve this country's freedoms.  May God continually bless those who sacrifice for us!