June 20, 2004
A Tribute to My Dad...
Since today is Fathers Day, I would like to talk a little about my own father. My dad and I have not always had the best relationship. In fact, for many years I didn't like my dad very much. But in all honesty, that is one of the areas of my life in which God has really done a lot of work. I would even go so far as to say the change (in me -- not him) has been miraculous!
Because God has changed me, I can now say with all sincerity that I love my dad with all my heart. But even more significant, I like him and I respect him. Where once all I could see were his shortcomings, now I see so much more. And I see how he has made a positive difference in my life in so many ways.
For example, my dad has always been a hard worker. He always gave 110% to his job, but not because it was a career he loved. He gave his all because that's the only way he knew how to do it. His strong work ethic is one of those things I respect so much about him, and I am truly grateful that he passed that on to me merely by modeling it.
My dad is a do-it-yourself kind of guy. Whenever anything shuts down, stops up, or quits working the way it's supposed to, he will try to repair it himself before calling a professional. And most of the time he is quite successful.
My dad has an enduring, positive outlook on life --which is truly one of the most fascinating things about him. He has been hit with some of the most horrendous difficulties of anyone I know, but you'd never know it to talk to him. He's almost always got a smile on his face and a story to tell. He's not a complainer, like so many of us these days. When he is faced with a challenge, he meets it head-on. Never waivering. Never faltering. Never throwing up his hands in despair. I don't remember ever seeing him despair, though he has certainly had plenty of opportunities to do so.
The old saying about "water running off a duck's back" was made for my dad. That's the way he handles life. He takes things in stride. Whatever "life" hands him, he makes the best out of it, then moves on.
My dad is also an affable people person. He loves to socialize. At 75 he has many friends. He is active at his church and is a volunteer with the Disaster Relief Group of Oklahoma. He still takes care of the house and the vehicles, plants a huge vegetable garden every summer, and keeps his five acres of land beautifully groomed. In his spare time he builds things out of barn wood, using his own designs, of course.
But probably the best thing about my dad is his faith in God. One of my favorite memories of my dad happened just a few years ago. Following a mild heart attack we learned, quite suddenly and unexpectedly, that he needed a triple bypass. As he was waiting to be wheeled into surgery, I asked him if he was scared. His answer was confident and sincere. He told me, "No," that he knew his life was in God's hands. His faith at that frightening and uncertain moment put my heart at ease. But that's just my dad... Never one to talk openly about his faith, or to force his faith on anyone else, he has just always worn it as comfortably as those plaid cotton shirts he wears around the house every day. That's the kind of faith he's always lived. That's the kind of faith I grew up with.
So yeah, my dad is a pretty great guy. I regret that I missed all the great things about him for so many years, but I'm all the more thankful now for the love and appreciation I have for him. I hope I have many more years of enjoying him in this lifetime.
So Happy Fathers Day, Daddy... I love you....
Posted by at June 20, 2004 10:13 PM