Beyond Common Sense

Father’s Day.  I’m so thankful that we have this holiday worked into our calendar.  As I watched my son-in-law fold his six feet two inch frame into a kiddie car with his two year old son, I was so proud of him and felt so blessed!  That action spoke volumes to his son!

Some of you may be like me: My dad passed away six years ago.  That doesn’t seem possible!  It seems like yesterday that he was lifting me up on the pony and giving me a ride.  As a family of four and having two daughters, my dad was sorely outnumbered!  He wasn’t a perfect dad, but I’ve noticed something:  When you lose a loved one, you have the choice of either remembering the good or the bad!  I’ve chosen to remember the good, and I can’t tell you what a blessing that is!

Whenever we would play cards as a family, Dad and I were always partners.  I remember making a fuss about it, but down deep I was always glad because we’d usually win!  Dad was a great card player—he wasn’t afraid to take chances.  I remember telling a joke once and making him laugh until he cried.  In his later years, there were long spells of silence; however, every once in a while, he would begin to share memories from his younger days which I had never heard .  Those times were so special.  One particular day in the last year of his life, I took him out to eat. It was the only time I ever did it. He was sitting at the kitchen table and was having a hard time getting up, and he looked at me and said, “I’m getting old,” and it made me sad to realize that he was right. He always called me Freddy.  He’s the only one that called me that, but when I was a teen, I wouldn’t answer him until he used my right name.  I’d give anything to hear him call me Freddy just one more time.

I always felt safe with my dad.  For those of you who have abusive fathers, I really can’t help you.  I can’t even imagine such a travesty!  I’m so sorry! I really can’t think of anything that would do more damage to a child’s character, except perhaps an abusive mother.  There’s only one hope for such a situation, and His name is Jesus!

I’m not sure what the point is for this post, but I needed to write it.  I’m so sad that he’s gone.  I wish I would have taken more time to know him better, to listen better, to be a better daughter. Daughters, find the best in your dads. Walk in their shoes just a little.  Pray for them. Dads, you really don’t have to do much, but do something!  It’s amazing to me how resilient children are!  You don’t have to be superman—just be dad! Just a little smile, just a little hug, just a little word of encouragement, just a horsie ride once and awhile. Tuck away some memories. Give them an open heart while they’re young, and when they’re teens, you may have a chance to make a difference!

My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.

Proverb 23:26

Wow!  What a challenging verse!!!