Hebrews 11:4b
. . . Being dead, he still talks.
My dad was a remarkable man. Born and raised in poverty in the rolling hills of Tennessee at the turn of the 20th century, his adventurous spirit and commitment to hard work took him far. Although he only had a fourth grade education, he taught me some of life’s best lessons.
In my teens, he showed me how to check the oil in our 1966 Mustang (I wish I still had that car!), how to change a tire, and even how to jump start the other car that often refused to budge. his own. I learned to paint, wallpaper and tile from a man who knew how to do almost anything.
But he taught me more than just how to get things done, as he modeled patience, compassion, and unconditional love. His sense of humor made us laugh even through the hard times, and the stories he told of his youth got bigger and better each time he told them!
The lessons I remember most from my dad were these:
Always keep your promises.
Work hard and be proud of what you do.
A good imagination is one of the best gifts in life. Use it often and wisely.
When faced with a problem, don’t say, “It can’t be done.” Get
busy and find a way to do it!
Do not give up! You will succeed if you keep trying.
You don’t have to preach to teach people about God’s love.
Just a few days ago I stared at his tombstone. It seems impossible that she’s been gone 11 years, because she’s still such a big part of my life. My brother and I were truly blessed. We will always be grateful to have had a father who cared, was sensitive to our needs, and left us lessons to guide us through life. Dads, what will his children think when they stare at his tombstone?
Dear Father, thank you for giving me an earthly father who reflected your love and compassion. Thank you for the lessons he lived.