Happy Father's day

This will be my 15th Father's day as an actual Father. It will also be the first after losing my Father.

This week my Dad has been on my mind a lot, but not in the missing him sort of way, but instead I have looked back as to what he did for me and the rest of my siblings. And while thinking back to it all I realized that I have become him in many ways.

Now in saying that it brings up many feelings, some positive and some negative as well. But as I think about deeper, I realize that all in all its a good thing I have in a way become a man following in his footsteps. For you see, even the supposedly negative aspects of doing this where needed for me to become the man God intended, and in the end that is what my Dad wanted, for me to be a man that followed my Father, my heavenly Father.

So the rest of this will be about thanking my Dad, for showing me how to both be a Father, and how the follow our Father.

1. Thanks for showing me what work ethic is. You worked harder than anyone I have ever encountered, to provide for a family of seven kids. I never once heard you complain about it either. And even though you had to work so hard to do this, you still find time to coach a team, just so I could play a sport I loved. Not only coach it, but create a whole organization, that went nation wide, helping to create an opportunity for countless kids like myself, one they would not have had without your efforts. You impact was truly nationwide.

2. Thanks for showing me what integrity is. Showing me the truth in things, and how to establish what is true, and the importance of standing up for it. Now there have been times, I have miss used this trait, but that is not your fault. but even in those times, being able to know and stand for what is true was what you intended. Also being able to handle the persecution and at time the hate that will come my way while standing up for the truth.

3. Thanks for showing me that no matter what, my spouse is second to only our God. Now to often as a young person I did not see this properly. But once I finally followed your lead, and put my life in Gods hands, I saw how much an example of this your always where. Your loved mom, to the best of your ability in a manner that God instructed us to, and in times where we all thought that love was dead, you stood strong, doing what Christ said, and it showed me that following Christ's instruction does lead to happiness.

4. Thanks for showing me whats really important in life. Things like time with your family, taking time to enjoy things like a card game with friends, a plate of food you made yourself, (even though he was a terrible cook), and just the simple pleasure of seeing others enjoying themselves. Not money, not a big house, and fancy new car every couple years. Enjoying a car ride, no matter what the destination, and even when the destination is something great, the journey can be just a great.

5. Thanks for being a leader, and showing me that a that a true leader is a servant. This is mentioned a lot in the bible, and I was very lucky to have a great example of what a servant leader looks like. Much of his life was serving people. In his Job, in the church, as a coach, and as a father.

6. Thanks for installing in me high standards. This is one of those traits that at times I have miss used as well, but am now learning how to use them properly. Couple this with learning how to deal with failure, see below, has been key. Shoot for the moon, even when you miss your among the stars, I never heard him say that, but it was referenced once and he heartily agreed.

7. And thanks for showing me that God is first, no matter what. I even feel his example of failing himself at putting God first at times was needed, cause we all fail, its how we respond that determines what kind of person your are. And I needed an example on how to deal with failure. But again hindsight has shown me that he did put God first for the better part of what I saw in his life, and for this I am a better man.

I have a lot more to thank him for,  but he knows how I feel. So lastly thanks for being the example I needed so that I could live a life that will lead to us spending eternity together, when the time comes. For in the end that is what God intended for us both.