As many celebrate fathers today, we reflect on the type of man who raised us. Sadly, there are many who won’t have fond memories or no memories at all. Some dads have already left to their eternal home, and some dads are still here. Some dads have never had a big part in their kids’ lives at all. I want to thank God because I still have my dad at 77 years of age.
There’s a song titled “The Greatest Man I Never Knew” by Reba Mc Entire. It is about the relationship between an adult child and the father that really never existed. The father was too busy to spend time with this child. He worked a lot and didn’t say much when he was home. Even though they lived in the same home, that’s all they did – lived in the same home. The father has died, and that child never got to hear that the father loved her.
For me, I have to say the opposite of my dad. My dad is the Greatest Man I Know! I don’t feel disconnected from him. I am actually very close to my dad now in my adult years. We have some really deep spiritual conversations, and I know I can always go to my dad for advice, even when it’s something personal. My dad is the most godly man that I know who has never strayed from the Christian lifestyle that he chose 39 years ago. Even when he has been hurt and betrayed, he is always humble and forgiving. Even when we kids have hurt him tremendously, he has such a deep, unconditional love for us and would do anything for us.
Growing up, my dad wasn’t as present or involved as I wish he had been; but he was still better than most of the dads I knew of back then. I am grateful because of the foundation that was centered around Jesus in our home. As we have all grown up, we have all dabbled in rebellion. But I can never say that it’s because of the example shown by my parents. If anything, they tried to protect us so much from a sinful life that it was just too tempting as I got older.
My dad has realized and acknowledged the mistakes that he made as a father. And that has helped me to be intentional to raise my kids much differently than I was raised. I’ve been able to take the things I liked and the things I didn’t like about my upbringing, and it has helped shape the way I raised my own kids.
I owe so much gratitude to my Savior, Jesus Christ, for the family that I have been blessed with. But I also thank my parents for the type of family that we have grown to be. We have our conflicts from time to time, but our family bond is extremely tight. Our favorite thing to do is hangout together talking, eating, and playing games. I am truly grateful and blessed.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad!
FindJoy 