One of the Good Guys

As a kid you always hear adults saying “if I knew then what I know now” or “you don’t know what I know” and other phrases of that nature and of course when you are young you have little to no idea what on earth they are even talking about. Then, as time goes on and you learn more and more, you start to see things like they did, the world looks different as you get older and you start to realize, especially if you have children now, that your parents did a lot more than you ever realized. Now I know in some cases that is not true but for the most part we really don’t realize all the things that adults have to deal with when we are kids. I have been blessed to have truly incredible parents. I believe I have always known I had good parents even in those years where I didn’t always want to listen to them because deep down I always knew they were right. They loved me and my siblings unconditionally with discipline and grace and gave us an amazing example of true love. I may not have always agreed with them when I was younger but I have always appreciated their integrity and honesty. They are not perfect, they have made mistakes, but they have never let me down. They have been a constant support my entire life. If I had known then what I know now, maybe I wouldn’t have given them such a hard time sometimes.
I feel so blessed to know I have such good parents that have always been there for me and my family. Still lately I have heard or seen many stories about parents, fathers in particular, that break my heart. There are people who haven’t had the greatest childhood and some just make me weep to hear all that they went through as a child. There are some who have grown up and chosen forgiveness and they now have wonderful relationships with their father and there are others who remain estranged and hurt. When I hear some of these stories I feel sometimes as though I lived in a dream world as a child, a carefree bubble where our family was happy and my dad was our leader, our rock, our provider. My dad worked hard but made time for us always. He took time to play with us, teach us, and was so proud to go to any and all of the competitions, track meets, tennis matches, musicals, concerts, and field trips that he could. He volunteered at church but also lived the way he taught at home and everywhere he went. My father was the same every day all day no matter where he was, he belonged to Jesus, and he taught us that it was not a part time job or a social event, it was a way of life. To this day if you talk to dad for very long at all you will hear him talk about some, if not all of the many ways God has blessed his life. Those that know him well know that he has been through a lot health wise in the past few years and there are times when he just does not feel great at all. Still he tells his story, always giving God the glory, every chance he gets.
I do not mean to be boastful or to say that he is perfect, none of us are this side of heaven. Still I feel it necessary to say that my dad was one of the good guys. He loved Jesus and us more than anything. He taught me how to live a life that pleases God. He showed me what to look for in a husband. He taught me that honesty and integrity is more important than personal gain and wealth. He taught me so many things and continues to do so. In a world where it is so normal for children to be raising themselves with little parental guidance or no parents at all, I just can’t thank God enough for my dad.
It’s funny to think about the ways that I am like my dad. I used to deny that I was like him but as I get older I can see it more and more. One of the most noticeable similarities is I rarely stop talking and though my dad may not talk as often as I do now, I get it honest. I get it from him most definitely. It is hard to escape a conversation with either of us because we just really like to talk…a lot. Another similarity is I can get upset fast sometimes which I would have to say comes from him. God bless mom and my husband for putting up with us when we are grumpy! All joking aside though, I hope I am like him in many other ways. I hope people look at me and see the integrity and honesty I see in him. I hope people look at me and see the joy I have that only comes from Jesus. I pray that I am at least half as good of a church member, sibling, spouse, parent, and most of all Christian as my daddy. He is so many things to so many people. I suppose that’s probably why I like the movie It’s A Wonderful Life so much because it shows how much other people are affected by one person’s life. That is my dad through and through. If it weren’t for my dad I know that some people’s lives would be a lot different. He has always been someone that reaches out to so many and I am so proud to call him my dad.
I am blessed to have such a loving father who always built his family up, who was encouraging and comforting, who instilled in us a deep desire to do what is right and to help those around us. I cannot express enough how thankful I am to have grown up in house where there was no fear, hate, mistrust or abuse but instead love, guidance, truth, and affirmation. I am so thankful for both of my parents but I am especially grateful on this Father’s Day for my dad, the leader of our family. I could not have asked for anyone better.
I love you dad, Happy Father’s Day!