i consider myself pretty lucky.
i have a very very special person in my life.
someone who used to check the entire house so that i would be assured that there weren't any "bad guys" around. someone who would sing me songs when i was afraid of the lightning and thunder. he would help me with the difficult math equations. he would tuck me in at night after reading from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe...and check on me after awaking from a bad dream. he would go to my basketball games and my dance recitals. my winterguard competitions and my choir concerts...
i cannot tell you, how many countless mornings he has been my alarm. knocking on my door to make sure i was awake on time. oh and then there's the countless upon countless other times when he has patiently waited on me to finish getting ready. he'll just sit with the car running, as i grab my breakfast before leaving for the day.
but then there's more important things. like his faithfulness. his faithfulness to go to work every day. day in, day out. commuting two hours of his day, providing for everyone in my family. and he's generous too. he doesn't work every day to build up a fortune. he works to give his money away. i really am hard pressed to think of ways that my dad spends money on himself. (except for maybe a game of golf twice a year.)
i have many stories of how his advice guided me in the right direction. i would come to him in tears, over confusion, indecision, or heartbreak...and he would always have a verse to share with me. something to quiet my soul. something to think through. something to pray for. and ultimately, truth to help me in making my decisions.
and he's faithful to love. he loves my mom. through thick and thin, his love for her has always been. i've never questioned his love. i've just always known it to be there.
no, he's not perfect. sometimes i get embarrassed by him. i've rolled my eyes, hundreds of times. he's raised his voice (really high and deep). gotten angry. (especially when i was learning how to use a manuel stick shift in his car!) he's goofy. he comes up with silly tunes. or makes up his own lyrics to already famous music. (i actually really love that!) he stands right exactly in the living room where you cannot see the TV anymore. he snores loudly... (i'll spare my dad, and not go on any further!)
but one thing i know, he's humble. he is still changing. he loves the Word and he loves God. he is soft-hearted. he is open to correction. i can tell him my opinions, and know that he will listen respectfully. (and then gently give his thoughts...of which i am always then humbled.)
he even goes with me to tea and chocolate tasting parties! (and this was even two days before leaving for Amsterdam!)
i really love this man. he has really shaped me into the person i am today. i am really really lucky. i know that no dad can show an accurate picture of what our Father in heaven is like. but this verse has always rung true:
Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11
as i write this, i keep thinking of more and more that i could add! but i think i should stop. i think you get the point. i have a good father.
i love you, dad. happy birthday.
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