This past week, my father-in-law, John (Jack) Aspray, suffered a stroke and is recovering in the Rhode Island Hospital.  My wife has always deeply admired her father, and at times I wondered if there was anything Jack Aspray couldn’t do.  As my wife traveled to the Ocean State to be near her mother and assist with her father’s recovery, my mind reflected upon the many positive traits my “father by marriage” has taught me.  I tend to think that my wife’s assessment is true.  He has been a “Jack” of all trades.  And I would like to share a few of them with you.

His Piety

My father-in-law is a native New Englander and has long been a student of the Puritans.  Some have argued that Spurgeon was the last of the Puritans, but I tend to think that this honor should be reserved for Jack Aspray.  I am certain that if you were to look up piety in the dictionary, you would find his picture there.  He has been the personification of moderation.

His daily time in the Word has forged a great devotional life.  Those who were fortunate enough to sit under his pastorates or be members of his Sunday School classes know that he always came to the pulpit with a wealth of Bible knowledge that was forged through daily digestion of the Scripture.

Dad Aspray was never given to indulgence. He was temperate in all things.  I have never seen him once (not even at Thanksgiving) over eat.  He was self-controlled in finance and was always content with such things as he had.  If godliness with contentment is great gain, then Jack Aspray is one of the richest men I know.  He was the personification of piety.

His Positivity

If great men talk about ideas, and small men talk about people, Jack Aspray is a great man.  His pastorates were never characterized by hundreds of people but rather dozens.  And in many situations, he was grossly mistreated.  When he pastored down south and took a stand against racism before it was politically correct to do so, one deacon responded by saying, “We will never hire a Yankee preacher again.” A pastor friend of mine who observed that ministry from across town told me that he never saw a pastor more maligned but that Dad Aspray responded to it with unimaginable grace.

When he later pastored in Pennsylvania, two prominent men in the church gathered in a barn every week to speak ill of my father-in-law.  The gossip became so malicious that God in His providence burned that barn down.   And as it burned, my father-in-law help carry water to put out the blaze.

To this day, he looks back on those pastorates with fond memories and holds no ill will to those who should be ashamed of their actions. Through all the financial and emotional struggles of life, he has remained the eternal optimist.  He is one of the most positive men I have ever met.

His Prayers

There are many men who say, “I’ll pray for you”; there are fewer men who actually pray.  You can tell that certain men by their public prayers are used to being in the throne room in private.  Such is the case with my father-in-law.  Every time he bows his head to pray, you know that he is on familiar soil.  Here is a man who spends countless hours in communication with God.  I have always valued listening to him pray and knowing that he prays for me.

His Perspiration

Before, during, in between, and after his pastorates, Dad Aspray was not afraid of hard work. There are few jobs my father-in-law has not done, and for all the diversity of his five children (Craig, Brenda, Karen, Naomi, and John), they are all characterized by a strong work ethic.  Indeed, one of the most difficult things to watch during these last few years is the loss of strength and vitality that has so characterized his life.

These last few years have been difficult to watch has the term “elderly” becomes a reality in life of this dear man.  My wife and I extend our thanks to the folks of Greater Rhode Island Baptist Temple and to my mother-in-law, Fran Aspray, who has stood by his side during this time of declining health.  God is not unrighteous to forget your labor of love.

As is often the case with any stroke, we are uncertain as to the permanence of its results.  We are hopeful of recovery and protection from further occurrences.   But whatever the case, we know for certain that Dad Aspray loves God, and we love him.  Thanks, Dad, for teaching us so many valuable lessons.