A Father's Day Tribute

Over the past weekend, I have read many tributes on social media to fathers as we celebrated another Father’s Day . . . so this is my tribute to my father, who moved into his heavenly home over 7 years ago.

 

My Dad was a hands-on father before it was fashionable, sharing with my Mom in every aspect of baby and child care.  He took his responsibility seriously and was involved in and interested in every part of my life.  He said “I love you” freely and also showed it in his actions.  I never had to wonder if I was important to my Dad.

 

My Dad always protected me and treated the women in his life with respect.  Because his actions taught me that I was worthy of respect, I was able to avoid relationships with men who didn’t show me respect.  I learned about selfless giving by watching the way my Dad treated my Mom and the rest of his family.

  

My Dad came from the humble beginnings of a broken home and as the stepson of a sharecropper in New Mexico.  He was a hard worker who provided well for his family with only a high school education, and he wasn’t interested in wealth or fame.  He focused on things of lasting value and lived a quiet life.

And this is perhaps what I am most thankful for when I think about my Dad.  Even though he didn’t have a godly example of parenting, by God’s grace Dad gave his children what they needed to grow into responsible adults who love God.  A girl’s relationship with her father affects the relationship she later has with God, and Dad was the kind of father that a little girl needs.  It has always been easy for me to trust God completely as an adult because my father was completely trustworthy and faithful.  He daily modeled unconditional love – the kind of love God has for us; so accepting God’s love for me has been an easy road.

My Dad was not a perfect man; but he got a lot of the things that really matter right.  Every Father’s Day, I thank God for allowing me to have a Dad who was a faithful man of integrity with a kind, gentle, patient, and giving spirit.  I miss you, Dad!

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.”                     Ephesians 6:4