I love the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus (an “opus” is a musical composition). Richard Dreyfus plays a professional, musician who puts his dreams of performing and composing aside to teach music in a public school, so he can be at home with his young family. He ends up teaching for 30 years in the public school system and touches hundreds of lives. Over the course of the 30 years he continues working on his music; his dream. He writes and composes whenever he has time, and continues to build upon his “masterpiece.” At the end of the movie, the school system decides to cut the music program, so he has to retire. His family, the faculty, students, and former students put together an assembly for him in the auditorium to celebrate his many years of service. His current and former students also surprise him by coming together to perform a section of his “masterpiece” on the instruments they learned to play in his music classes. He directs them as they play; Thus “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” I cry every time I watch it. It reminds me of my dad.
Today is my dad’s Birthday. He was born April 15, 1946. He has been a part of writing a opus of his own. He has composed, as we all do, a real life series of works. Each section of his opus tells a different story, with a different rhythm, and a unique sound to that part of the masterpiece. Even though he wasn’t a music teacher, he has written and lived out a beautiful work of his own in Springhill, Louisiana. He taught at the local high school, pastored at several different churches, and invested his entire adult life serving people. There are thousands and thousands of people who have been a part of this series of works. It’s God’s work, in and through him. One life after another impacted by this masterpiece…Phillip Carroll’s Opus. Let me share a little bit of my section, which I’m thankful to say is still being written.
Today is my dad’s Birthday. He was born April 15, 1946. He has been a part of writing a opus of his own. He has composed, as we all do, a real life series of works. Each section of his opus tells a different story, with a different rhythm, and a unique sound to that part of the masterpiece. Even though he wasn’t a music teacher, he has written and lived out a beautiful work of his own in Springhill, Louisiana. He taught at the local high school, pastored at several different churches, and invested his entire adult life serving people. There are thousands and thousands of people who have been a part of this series of works. It’s God’s work, in and through him. One life after another impacted by this masterpiece…Phillip Carroll’s Opus. Let me share a little bit of my section, which I’m thankful to say is still being written.
My section of my dad’s opus includes every emotion and tone one could ever experience. It is filled with amazing crescendos of joy, happiness, and laughter, as well as decrescendos, moments of dissonance, and even long periods of silence. As you find in most of the great works, there are moments where joy encounters pain and laughter turns to tears. So does my story with my dad. I’m so grateful that at some point in the piece the tone changed. My dad kept writing. He kept pursuing. Thankfully my part doesn’t end on the dissonant notes. The minor chords are continuing to be resolved, and now the dominate tone has changed as this piece begins to crescendo and is filled with faith, hope, and love.
I could write page after page about the many stanzas in my part of this opus. I could write about how much I loved to ride and go anywhere with my dad. I could write about how he was constantly on the move working, going, or doing something all the time. (For those that know me well, I get my ADHD from him. It’s generational.) I could write about the many hours I spent in the halls of Springhill High School as a little boy after school where he taught English, Bible (Yes they used to teach Bible in the public schools), Gothic Literature, and led the Student Council for many years. I could write about sitting and listening as he shared hundreds of stories from his childhood & adult life, and how I dreamed of the day I would have my own repertoire of stories to share with my kids and others along the way. I could write about the many moments playing catch, riding to a practice or a ballgame, and how great it felt to hear my dad say “I love you, and I’m so proud of you buddy.” I still love to hear that part of the song today, and I’m so thankful to have a Dad who is still willing to say it.
I could also write page after page about the countless hours my dad spent counseling kids about their futures, pastoring churches, leading youth groups, performing marriage ceremonies and funerals, visiting homes and hospital rooms, going on mission trips, attending camp after camp, and the many prayers of faith he has offered up over the lives of so many people. There are so many sections of his opus, and each one tells a different story from a life impacted by my dad.
I am 45 years old today, and every time I’m around my dad I still feel that childlike part of me deep in my soul. Every person on the planet has a need in their life that only a Dad can meet. That’s why God gave us Dads. They are to be an example to us, as we gow up, of how we ultimately need Him more than anyone. I am learning that truth now more than ever as a husband and father. I am flawed and prone to failure. As much as I desire to fulfill and meet every need my wife and children have, I cannot do or meet any need in anyone’s life without Him. On my own I will quickly cause pain, disappointment, and hurt in the lives of my wife, children, and others around me. My opus, just like my Dad’s, can never be written, and become all it was meant to be, unless every part is centered on the grace, redemption, forgiveness, and love that only our Heavenly Father can provide for us through His Son Jesus Christ. I learned that from my dad’s opus too.
I could write page after page about the many stanzas in my part of this opus. I could write about how much I loved to ride and go anywhere with my dad. I could write about how he was constantly on the move working, going, or doing something all the time. (For those that know me well, I get my ADHD from him. It’s generational.) I could write about the many hours I spent in the halls of Springhill High School as a little boy after school where he taught English, Bible (Yes they used to teach Bible in the public schools), Gothic Literature, and led the Student Council for many years. I could write about sitting and listening as he shared hundreds of stories from his childhood & adult life, and how I dreamed of the day I would have my own repertoire of stories to share with my kids and others along the way. I could write about the many moments playing catch, riding to a practice or a ballgame, and how great it felt to hear my dad say “I love you, and I’m so proud of you buddy.” I still love to hear that part of the song today, and I’m so thankful to have a Dad who is still willing to say it.
I could also write page after page about the countless hours my dad spent counseling kids about their futures, pastoring churches, leading youth groups, performing marriage ceremonies and funerals, visiting homes and hospital rooms, going on mission trips, attending camp after camp, and the many prayers of faith he has offered up over the lives of so many people. There are so many sections of his opus, and each one tells a different story from a life impacted by my dad.
I am 45 years old today, and every time I’m around my dad I still feel that childlike part of me deep in my soul. Every person on the planet has a need in their life that only a Dad can meet. That’s why God gave us Dads. They are to be an example to us, as we gow up, of how we ultimately need Him more than anyone. I am learning that truth now more than ever as a husband and father. I am flawed and prone to failure. As much as I desire to fulfill and meet every need my wife and children have, I cannot do or meet any need in anyone’s life without Him. On my own I will quickly cause pain, disappointment, and hurt in the lives of my wife, children, and others around me. My opus, just like my Dad’s, can never be written, and become all it was meant to be, unless every part is centered on the grace, redemption, forgiveness, and love that only our Heavenly Father can provide for us through His Son Jesus Christ. I learned that from my dad’s opus too.
I must confess that I dreamed to fill the auditorium at Springhill High School for my dad when he retired. In fact, we were beginning to make plans, but it was not meant to be. Circumstances didn’t allow us to celebrate as we wanted. Now the auditorium and high school have been torn down, and replaced with something new. But just like in the movie “Mr. Hollands Opus,” you can’t destroy a memory. You can’t get rid of a song either. Once it’s put down on paper and put to music it will always remain. That’s the great thing about any masterpiece that is written and centered on a life filled with Christ; it’s an opus that will be sung for all eternity with everyone who believes. We will glorify our Father forever as we sit and reflect on our part in the many masterpieces we are blessed to be a part of in this life.
Dad, on your Birthday, I want you to know how thankful I am to be a part of yours. And there are countless others who feel the same way. I love you!
Dad, on your Birthday, I want you to know how thankful I am to be a part of yours. And there are countless others who feel the same way. I love you!
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