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Proverbs 13:1- “A wise son heeds his father’s instruction…”

Today we honor dads everywhere.

Hopefully, we recognize their uniqueness and special place in our lives everyday.

My father was a true family man. After God, he put our family first. And it wasn’t easy for a man with a minimal education.

With a family of four children to provide for, he often worked two jobs in the early years. He taught himself the complicated math skills necessary to advance in the aerospace industry. Often times, he’d work all day, come home for dinner, and then go back out and dig ditches for several more hours each night.

Being the only driver, I remember him sometimes falling asleep as he sat in a chair near the checkout waiting for us kids to get what we needed at Sears or JC Penny.

Dad always had time for things that were important. Church was one of those things. He would spread out a newspaper on the counter on Saturday nights and polish four pairs of shoes and on Sunday morning, we’d find our “offering” for church lined up on the countertop beside them.

Dad woke us each Sunday morning by pulling on our toes and announcing, “Rise and Shine.” We might have been grumpy those mornings, but Dad wasn’t. He had a huge smile on his face as he walked us to our Sunday school rooms. 

He showed unconditional love to each of us. And lest you get the impression that it was all sweetness and roses at our house, I must admit to getting in trouble and dreading the “switch.” 

Yes, Dad punished us for getting out of line. And those were the only times we saw tears in our father’s eyes.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad. Ninety-six years old and still setting the example of what it’s like to follow our Heavenly Father’s leading here on earth.