Christopher J. Klicka

October 12, 2009, one of the most difficult days I have ever experienced. I not only lost my friend and father, but I also lost my hero. Even though my dad was handicapped for almost my whole life and was unable to do most things a father does, he was and will always remain my hero. There were certain character traits that my dad had that I have never seen in anyone else. Despite his disability and how he might feel, he always had time for others including me; another trait that stood out in my dad was how strong he was through all his troubles, but the quality that stands out the most, is his unwavering, steadfast love and faith in Jesus. Through all his trials and pains, he continued to focus on God. That is why he is my hero; I want to be more like him.

My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1994, but continued to keep on with his fulltime job at Home School Legal Defense Association. As the years went on, making the forty-five minute drive to work became difficult for him, so in 2003 he began working from home, but still worked fulltime. Although his work kept him busy, he always made time for each of us kids. Every day, usually around lunch he would do devotions and meet with one of us kids, just to see how we were doing, and if there was anything to talk about. Through our different hard times he would offer words of encouragement and continually point us back to God. He served others outside of the family wherever he went, whether it was at church, a get together or a conference. Whenever my dad talked to someone he would give them his full attention, and make them feel like they were the only one in the room.

Along with reaching out and making time for others, my dad was strong. I do not mean in the physical sense, for MS took over his body quite rapidly, but emotionally strong. He also had strength to keep going. Sometimes his legs were weak and he would fall and hurt himself. I cannot begin to number the many times he had fallen, but every time God gave him the strength to get back up and keep on going. About seven years after the MS, the doctors said he should be in a wheelchair or bedridden, but my dad was still walking and exercising, I guess God was not ready to take him home yet. Up until the last few days of my dad’s life, he remained strong. Although MS made his body weak, he was the strongest man I know.

Through my dad’s disease God made His power perfected in his weakness. The best quality of my dad was his faith in Christ. When my dad would fall, or was unable to walk, he would say, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord!” This was a verse that my dad lived by every day of his life. My dad’s faith was like no other; through his joys and trials he glorified God. At night when he could not sleep for hours, he would pray. Pray for others, pray for his family, and thank God for all that he was blessed with. And in the times when I was looking at my problems instead of Christ, he encouraged me and spoke the word of God to me so that I turned my eyes back to Jesus. I will forever miss all the encouragement he gave me.

The day my hero died, although it was extremely sad, there was much rejoicing going on all over the country. For God’s servant, Chris Klicka had made it home. He had fought the fight and finished the race! My life has been changed since that day. I want to live for Christ more than I have ever wanted to before. My goal is to grow each day to be stronger and stronger in Christ. Although my dad and hero are gone, he still lives on through me and the memories of him will always be with me. Even though I miss him terribly I know that he is in a better place and that all his pain and weakness are now made perfect. He is now running the streets of gold with God and I could not be any happier for him!