My Father

Today is my father's 49th birthday. Now for some of you that may not be a very momentous occasion, but it is of extreme importance to me. I feel it weighing on my heart even now to explain to you who my dad has been to me and my siblings our entire lives. He means so much to me and this is not simply because he happens to hold the title "Dad" in my life.

Since I can remember my dad has always been there. EVERY time I needed to talk he was there to listen. And any time he couldn't he would make time for it later. He has been a constant source of wisdom and strength to me throughout my life. He has also never been afraid to say that he loves me or how proud he is of me. And just as important, my dad was always willing to come back and say "I'm sorry" when he was wrong. I love how firm he is in his beliefs. I love how his so-called "old-fashioned" views on being a man that I have tried to live out, separating me as a gentleman from many others. And I respect so much his willingness to work so hard for us without complaints.

When my dad was younger, before he was married, he used to read books and do studies on being a good father, all in anticipation of his being a father. I have 4 brothers and 1 sister, and I can tell you that we would ALL be much different people if it was not for my dad. Now of course it was God who guided us and changed us into who we are now, but I have no doubt that my dad was one of the greatest tools God used in building our foundations as children of God. I would guess that the main reason that I can connect with the Father-God of the trinity the best, and see God in that father's light is because I have grown up with a father who loved me as best he could. I also know that his fathering could not simply be contained within the wall of our home but overflowed in to the lives of many others. I have no doubt that some of you who are reading this have been poured into by his father-heart.
Now, I am not in any way saying that my father was perfect. My dad definitely has his share of flaws. But I want to recognize his obedience to God throughout his life and his always trying his best to love and care for myself and my family. So thank you dad. And thank you God for such a gift in my life.

Thanks ya'll