Well, then say it. (“A dad joke.” Get it?)
Ok ok. I felt your eyes roll from here.
Anyway, it’s my dad’s birthday in a couple days and I kind of miss him like a whole freaking ton.
In case you didn’t know, he literally flew to Canada just so he could see me for a few hours last week. (It was a layover on our way to Africa.)
Tell me I don’t have the best dad in the world.
(If you do, you’d be wrong.)
In case you haven’t picked up on it by now, this is about to be a sappy “I love my dad” blog, so if you’re not interested this is your chance to back out now. ??
Throughout my life my dad has taught me about the Lord without even realizing it. Here’s some of the ways he’s done that:
He serves.
My dad will pull over to help someone start their car. He’ll pull a stranded boat to the shore. He’ll put everything down to help an elderly woman push her elderly husband in a wheelchair. He’ll offer whatever he can to a friend in need. I know because I’ve seen him do it- time and time again.
God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. -Hebrews 6:10
He sees people.
I’ve seen my dad relate to every kind of person- young, old, Caucasian, Hispanic, addicted to drugs, disabled, struggling with depression, gay, straight, African American, women, men, quiet people, loud people, rich people, poor people. I’ve seen him talk to a drug addict with the same amount of respect and kindness that he uses when he talks to someone running for governor. He makes them all feel important. He makes them all laugh. This is one of my favorite qualities about him and one I desire to imitate as well as him one day.
There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. -Galatians 3:28
He’s kind.
My family jokes that my dad is the baby whisperer and the dog whisperer. Kids are just drawn to him, even if they’re too shy to interact with anyone else. Animals follow him around and immediately like him. People meet him and immediately trust him. Quite honestly, it’s bizarre. Haha. But I truly believe it’s his kindness that draws people in.
With lovingkindness I have drawn you. -Jeremiah 31:3
He shows up.
There has never been a second in my life when I thought my dad might not show up for me. In fact, even when I’ve been in the wrong, he’s fought for me. I can’t count how many times in my life that he’s stood up for me when the easiest option would have been to just deal with whatever it was.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or afraid because the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave or forsake you. -Deuteronomy 31:6
He speaks.
I remember when I was younger I would ask him questions because I just wanted to hear his voice when he’d answer. I’d ask him to sing to me at night because I just loved being around him and listening to him. Even now, I listen to him when we’re at a sporting event because I know he’ll sing along to the national anthem. I genuinely value the words he says because I know I might not always get to have them and they’re important to me.
The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty One who saves. He will take great delight in you, in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing. -Zephaniah 3:17
He adores me.
My dad will do my laundry. He’ll take me to the lake and let me drive the jet ski, even though I drive too “boring” for him. He’ll kill any bug, even when I maybe, possibly freak out and over exaggerate its size. He’ll clean and sell my car, even when I left it in a pretty gross state. He’ll do things for me even if I ask just because I don’t want to do it. He’ll fly to Canada to see me for six hours at three in the morning. He loves me and would do anything for me.
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -Romans 8:38-39
So, If you haven’t picked up on it yet, I love my dad. I mostly show him that through constantly bothering him and making fun of him, but sometimes I make him lunch, too. Haha.
He’s not perfect, but he’s a good man and I’ve seen him become an even better man over the years.
So, dada, I love you and I hope you have a great birthday.
PS You’re getting kind of old.
PPS This beats all your Facebook posts.
