Father's Day 2010

Since today is a day to honor our father's I plan to do just that.

Let me tell you a little bit about a great man I know personally.  I call him Dad.  MY DAD is a father, husband, preacher, farmer, mechanic, horseman, and most importantly a Christian.  As I was growing up some of the things I remember most about MY DAD is him daily instilling character traits into his children. 

Things like honesty. I can hear him speak these words even today "Tell the truth even if it takes the hide"  As an adult now when I am tempted to not give all the details or not be totally honest, those words pop up.  When my children try to lie to me (you know a momma always knows)  I speak those words to them.  "Tell the truth even if it takes the hide".  I have really wanted to speak these words to some adults that I have known that have not been honest with me.  I guess that is why I am a good accountant.  Accounting is all about telling the whole truth.  I guess that is not a high priority for some businesses but it is definitely a standard that my father instilled in me as a child.

MY DAD is a hard worker which is another character trait he wanted for his children.  As a teenager I was expected to pay for some stuff.  I acquired a job at 16 so that I could pay part of my insurance and gas.  They supplied the car. At the time I didn't realize that this was preparing me for my future.  You need to work for what you have so that you can truly appreciate it.  Those are just a few of the character building lesson I remember from him.

MY DAD showed me how to love people.  MY DAD doesn't just hang around the lovely people.  I remember him coming home from our neighbours house with roaches on him.  Our neighbour was a little old lady that had needed help with a water leak.  I remember how stinky her house was but MY DAD didn't hesitate to get on the floor under neath her sink to help her out.  I get the willies just thinking about it.  If you need help working on a vehicle or in a stinky chicken house MY DAD would be willing to do it just to be a friend.  From him I have realized if you want people to see Jesus you have to go to them, where they are at.  It is not enough to just talk about it at church or a church function.  You have to be willing to go feed their animals, fix their water leaks, go fishing with them, hang out at the gas stations just to visit and pray for them daily.  You have to be willing to "do" not just talk about it.

 Lastly the most important thing MY DAD has done is told me about Jesus.  Church was never an option.  If you had an opportunity to learn about Jesus of course we were going to be there.  Even if he hadn't been the pastor I am sure we would have been there every time the doors were open.  And you better be listening and not disrupting the service because no one wants their daddy to call them down in the middle of the service to go set with mom.  My DAD taught me the importance of a personal relationship with my heavenly father.  You can't just love him with words.  Your actions speak a lot louder than you words.

I know, that if I ever need him for anything he is a phone call away.  Whether it is a question about the Bible or a family emergency I know I can count on him.  He is a shining example of my Heavenly Father.  Honest, compassionate, loving you know all those good character traits.  That is MY DAD.

I LOVE YOU, Dad

I don't want to leave out another special Dad on this day.  My boys have one of the best dads ever.  Tim plays with them, loves them, disciplines them.  One day my children will be able to write about how special their dad is and how he always pointed them to Jesus by his actions and words.  I love you, Timmy and think you are one of the best dads I know.