Honor Your Father

Father’s Day will be celebrated this Sunday, so I thought it be appropriate to honor fathers today. I’m also celebrating my dad tonight at his memorial service as he went to heaven early Sunday morning.

This post is meant to honor my father and all fathers.

What do you think of when the word father or dad is mentioned? To me, protector, provider, and leader come to mind. In today’s society in America, many are left without a father to love them unconditionally. No man to provide for them or protect them from harm. So many dads abandon their kids for various reasons and they don’t have a dad to wrestle or play with. No dad to give honor to. A father plays a vital role in our lives. His example can build us up or destroy us.

I am both proud and blessed to have a dad meeting the above-mentioned criteria. I’d like to honor my father by sharing a few things he taught me.

1. He showed me how to love.  Hugs and kisses were given freely throughout each day within parameters of fair discipline and limitations. Evidence of being spoiled was intertwined, too.

2. My dad set an example for me to follow. Honesty, humorous, and helpful around the house described him. Dawdling over mom showed me
how someone should treat me. Being resourceful to save money, he created “repurposing” before it became popular.

3. He taught me many things. He taught me how to budget, work hard, set goals, and to always ask questions. He taught me basic car repair and home maintenance. Before going on a trip, he insured I could read a map and had me plan my own route.

4. Most importantly, my dad taught me how to love God and family.  We were faithful to church and involved in all activities. Not only did he tithe, but gave in secret to those in need. We had family devotions and he taught us how to pray and read the Bible.

5. In living, he taught me to fight a good fight of faith and win the race. Yes, when diagnosed with stage four prostate cancer, my dad didn’t give up. He placed his trust in the Lord and was grateful for family and for every day that was added to his life. He turned a negative into a positive by helping encourage others receiving chemo treatments. No matter how the chemo affected his body, he fought to remain independent, adapting whatever was necessary to do so…and, people wonder where my courage to live life without sight came from.

I love you, Dad. Thank you for the many years of love and instruction imbedded in the crevices of my mind. Thanks for believing in me and
encouraging me to be an empty vessel for God to use. I’ll do my best to make God and you proud.

What memories do you have of your dad? Give honor to your father by sharing your story in the comments below.

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