Dad

On mother's day I wrote about my mom and I should be strung up and whipped if I didn't do the same of our day.

I am sitting here staring at the cursor blinking wondering where to begin, because I have a lot I could write but really don't want to bore you to death. I called my dad this morning to wish him a happy father's day. I have to call early because he would have soon been out the door and down to the church where he pastor's to begin his usually busy Sunday. And I guess that is what describes him best.

Being a pastor is who he is as well as what he does. I will try to better define that for you. A few years ago at 65 he retired. (ha!) Soon after, he went part time as an associational director, but it wasn't long he was back at the church he had retired from as an interim while they looked for a new pastor. Well that interim turned into coming out of retirement and back to pastoring. Before he committed for the second time, I believe I asked him why he would consider going back. He answered this way, "I miss taking care of people." So there you have it. That is his heart and his passion. I really believe that he will prefer that his last sermon would be while giving it. It might be a little traumatic for those in attendance, but that is the way he would like it.

The example he has lived before us has been to love God, your family, and live a life that will bring glory to God. He led us all to the saving power of Jesus and baptized most of his 4 children and some of his grandchildren. He was a firm disciplinarian and a strong provider. I cannot remember ever being hungry and we always had Christmas gifts. Later in life, I found out several years after I left home that he borrowed money to make sure we had gifts under the tree. He has loved us, prayed for us, and cried for us and with us and sometimes we didn't know it. He doesn't offer advice unless asked for. He made sure we had it better than he did growing up. We learned a strong work ethic because he insisted that we have summer jobs, whether hauling hay for a farmer or working in a shoe store in town.

My dad is aging now and he won't win the New York marathon, but he will win at the marathon of life. When God calls him home he will leave behind a legacy to be revered and copied.

Here's to you Dad. I hope you had a great day!