Hellooooooo friends and family 🙂 This Sunday is Father’s Day, WOO, I can’t wait to be a father. I know raising two sons like my brother and I was probably part of the reason my dad has no hair left on his head (Not that Arielle didn’t do her part in that also). I know all the while though he never ceased loving us and would do anything for us. Certain duties come along with being a father and raising a son; teaching your kids how to properly dance and not care what others think and how to feeeeeel the music move through your bones and flail all your body parts at once. Obnoxiously picking them up from school, teaching them life skills like how to change the oil or a tire on a car or how to properly cook a MEAN patty on the grill, how to properly treat a woman including but not limited to, do’s and don’t’s on a first date. Helping your children identify who they are in Christ and helping them identify the gifts God has given them. The most important thing my father taught me though is how to be a stand up, warrior, man of God. That goes beyond all female or car knowledge I could ever acquire. It’s one of the most valuable lessons a young man could learn.
My dad did an extraordinary job of exemplifying just what it means to be a strong, hardworking man of God. As many know my dad works as a Sergeant at our county Sheriff’s Office in two different departments, he owns and operates his own pond building business (Come to Living Water Aquascapes for all your pond, waterfall and fountain needs), he’s a head of our church missions project in Honduras, he ministers to people in the church, all the while loving us and serving his family however he can. I honestly cannot think of a better example of a warrior for God, teaching me that everyday interactions with people are a treat and an opportunity to brighten somebody’s day with a lighthearted conversation or a compliment. Whether it’s the Chick-fil-a or Wendy’s person taking your order, the toll booth employee (because we all can admit their job could use a little excitement every now and then), or the neighbors next door. Everyone deserves to be treated to a good laugh and a smile.
I remember the first time I got a knife was on our road trip out west. My dad gifted it to me on my birthday and taught me how to whittle a stick. I cut my finger open that day in Yellowstone National Park. My dad has always been gifted with anything artistic and creative, which is why he’s so great at constructing natural looking ponds and water gardens. He’s taught me how to work hard and be happy while doing it, making everything a game. I would work on ponds with him and we would get to work side by side and just talk about life and he could impart some wisdom or share a story which would always leave me in awe of him and the life he’s lived so far. I love spending time with good ole pappa duck.
One thing my dad taught me as even a young child is just to appreciate the majesty and vastness of the world surrounding us. How our God created giant mountains yet also created ants. How God created something like the universe that is so big and overwhelming, yet took the time to create such detail on the pedal of a flower, or my dad’s favorite, the intricacy of a rock. He taught me to appreciate all life no matter if others see that life as useless or unimportant, even little insects, or venomous snakes (Throwback to Mozambique). When we would go on hikes up mountains or through valleys we would always stop to appreciate the things God created around us. Things like cool reptiles, birds or little mammals scurrying around, or like a giant rock drop-off into a pool of refreshing water, looking out after you’ve hiked up a mountain and looking at all the land and taking in the sights God created for each and every one of us.
One final thing my dad also taught me was how to properly be a man of God every woman out there deserves. This goes beyond pickup lines (which no ones uses anymore anyways… hopefully). My dad taught me What is looks like to be a gentleman for women, offering to carry things for them, opening doors for women, being a good listener, doing things to make their life easier whether the be washing the dishes or clothes, folding laundry, making them dinner to come home to, letting them escape the stresses of everyday life with a fun date night, I only strive to be the amazing husband my dad is to my mom. He always knows how to make her smile, he’ll support her with anything to the best of his ability, doing anything he can to help her life be a little easier. I see him support my mom in her faith and help her grow more as a woman of God as she helps my dad grow as a man of God. I realized through his actions that even though my mom is absolutely stunning and a huge catch, it’s not about the physical qualities like how pretty, tall, short, strong a person is, or personality traits like how easy-going, funny, or cool a person is (although obviously those help), it’s about how that person will live life with you and support you and call you closer in your relationship with God. It’s about the triangle you too and God create… it’s kind of like an awkward love triangle but in this case everybody loves each other. You and your spouse are the two bottom corners of the triangle and God is the point at the top. As you and your spouse help each other grow closer to God becoming more intimate with him, you move up that triangle naturally moving closer to each other and becoming more intimate with each other.
Overall my dad has taught me countless lessons on what it means to be a man of God and I am beyond thankful for him and the wisdom God has given him, always pointing me back to the bible and what God wants any time i have questions, always knowing how to make me crack up. I love you Pappa Duck, HAPPY FATHER’S DAYYYY!!!!!! WOOOOOOO!! 🙂
