Yesterday was Father's Day. Truth be told I knew everyone did not have a Dad as great as mine, but I never knew the weight of that (...and I still don't...). I have never questioned if my Dad loved me; I knew he was angry sometimes...but loved was never a question. They say that a Father is the relationship that a child mostly uses to know how to relate to the Lord, so it is a huge gift that my Dad has given me that I never have to question his love. My Dad is for me. My Dad shadows how the Lord is for me. In my Dad's example I find this shadow and many others.
From my Dad I have learned to take joy in simple things: sports, nature, my gifts.
- Sports
- Is it any consequence that the sport my Dad found the most joy in playing and (I think) the most joy in watching is mine favorite too! Something about the game of basketball...silly little bouncing ball, a little finesse and an orange hoop. The athleticism in basketball shows me how complex these bodies the Lord created actually are-depth perception, endurance, vertical jumps...bodies do that! I imagine golf gives him similar joys (more depth perception and less vertical jumps though).
- In sports I also see my Dad take joy in his teams. His teams sometimes aren't so good :( But even in the worst MSU football seasons, he found joy in being loyal to his team. Never do I remember anger, disappointment replacing joy. I can see how my Dad's example of unswaying loyalty and joy are good for my heart. They are shadows pointing to the eternal battles. In this life although Christ has won the final victory, it does not seem like he is winning sometimes (ie Charleston, SC). Take heart people, there is joy to find, where life seems bad, my Dad finds it!
- I am pretty sure my Dad may have been slightly frustrated at the type of athlete I was. He has that crazy athlete drive, even now in his 60's he golfs more then some people would like him too :) I never had the same drive, I was the type of kid who got the "best attitude of the bench warmers" awards. He never made me feel like I was not good enough, he never made me feel like I had to prove something to him. I think that in itself let me just enjoy sports for what they are and speaks of the type of Dad my Dad is!
- Nature
- My Dad has taken joy in nature, whether in his own yard or on a lake somewhere. He and my Mom have taken me all over this country to marvel at the handy work of the Lord. I think to some degree this is something he also appreciates about golf, the handy work of the Lord.
- My Gifts
- My Dad has taught me to take joy in where I have gifts and use them to serve others, with joy! I am always amazing at how my Dad can drop everything, change his weekend plans, and take apart my car and fix something I never knew existed that was broke... without ever even hinting at the fact that I ruined his plans. This clearly shows me what it is to use my gifts and things I take joy in to serve others around me, without expecting a return.
- I also think I got my love of singing from my Dad...He loves to sing, I am not great at singing, but I take joy in it!
I love the joy my Dad shows in his life and come football season, next to him is where I want to be! I love you Daddy-O!
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