The world’s #1 dad

This is one of my favorite pictures. Just before the photographer snapped it, Dad and I were standing in the closed Narthex of our church. As we waited for the double doors to open so he could walk me down the aisle, I was wrecked with nervous tears. My precious dad recognized my instability and saved the day. He knew instinctively that a protective hug or tender assurances would only exacerbate my wobble, and so he distracted me with Kentucky basketball trivia. #BBN This wonderful man is my hero and he turns 70 this week. 70!!!! This milestone birthday has provided a beautiful time for me to reflect on the life, love and legacy of this great man. I love my dad. He consistently models integrity, loyalty, kindness and generosity. He is a great leader and businessman. He has successfully managed and grown a respected construction company for decades. He loves his company and cares deeply for all the people who work with him. He has shepherded and patiently encouraged my husband to take on the role that he has held for decades. Dad has loved and encouraged Pat as a mentor and father.

He loves being a father. Dad started taking me on dates when I was a child and he continues to do so today. He has always been faithful to make time for each of us. He made sure we knew that we were cherished and important. He listens and shares the wisdom he has grown in through experiences, study and observation. He tells great stories and is quick to laugh when listening to other’s stories. He is vulnerable enough to empathize and share his personal frustrations.

He faithfully attended our athletic games. If you ask him to, he will happily recall the successes (mostly attributed to my brother) and less than successful attempts that we made in our competitive endeavors. You will continue to find him in the stands of the gym, lacrosse, soccer, or football field cheering for his grandkids as they embrace their own love for sports.

Dad doesn’t limit himself to the role of spectator. He continues to play tennis. He really loves playing doubles with family members. Writing this almost inspires me to pick up my racket again; he was my favorite partner. I always loved our time together on the court. In addition to his tennis hobby, dad loves to fish and hunt. He is a voracious reader.

He adores my mom. We tease sometimes that he is a sucker for a pretty girl, and that is most blatantly displayed in his relationship with my beautiful mom. My mom is motivated by projects, causes and opportunities to serve. As great a leader as he is, he is gracious to listen, embrace and support each of my mom’s endeavors. This respect and affection for mom has rooted him in the church nursery every Sunday for nearly 40 years. It has lead him to Young Life camps, mission opportunities in India, Ukraine, Africa and most recently, Orange Mound. He recognizes her gifts and passion and he gets involved. When he does, he becomes passionate too.

More than sports, family, the company or even mom, my dad loves the Lord. He feeds his love for Jesus by spending time in prayer and in the word. He has faithfully met with a handful of men every Thursday for decades to study and pray. He is an elder at our church and has been steadfast to serve the church with his time, obedience, finances and heart.

I haven’t always obeyed my dad. I lied as a child and had my moments as a disrespectful teen. Sometimes I was rude; sometimes I abused his generosity. I’m sure my carelessness, laziness and selfishness frustrated him and caused him to worry. I never doubted his love for me. When I screwed up, he embraced and forgave me. He didn’t withhold love. He didn’t shut me out or turn his back on me. He was wise in handing out punishment and discipline. These were vital components of his fatherly love.

When we have our lunch dates now, Dad never brings up the bad stuff I did in the past, and he has a great memory. When I sought his forgiveness, he wholeheartedly gave it. Dads do that (moms do too). The role of father is a weighty one. It is a high privilege and beautiful responsibility to raise up children. God in his great wisdom identified himself as our Father. Everyone understands what the role of father means. God wants us to understand…. To see him as Father…. To embrace our role as sons and daughters. Whether you have a deadbeat dad or a great dad like mine, he falls way short in comparison. Our Heavenly Father is the only perfect father.

He is perfect in his love, forgiveness and wisdom. He gave us all our gifts and talents. He takes joy in cheering for us as we use these gifts. He doesn’t keep a record of our wrongs. He picks us up when we fall and holds our hand as he leads us in the steps he has established for us. He shares his wisdom and listens to our stories and sympathizes with our frustrations. His desire is to spend cherished time with us. He shares his inheritance and legacy with us.

Brothers and sisters, embrace your dad. He has your back. Spend some time reflecting on who He is and what His gifts are. Stop dwelling on yourself, your mistakes, and your junk. He wants to celebrate with you the joy He takes in being your dad. The world’s #1 dad loves you. He delights in you. Celebrate that and celebrate Him. Tell Him how much you love Him; He never gets tired of telling you.

 

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

“If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:11 (NIV)