Sunday, June 20, 2010

Happy Father's Day!

Smiling wasn't my dad's strong suit.

This is a picture of him from the 60s on a Sunday.


Growing up, I always liked this verse:
And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
--Ephesians 6:4

One, because it wasn't about something I had to do or couldn't do. I looked at it as though it was there to balance out the
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.--Ephesians 6:1
and two, because it was there to protect me.

God's plan for the family is for every member to have a role and when each one carries out their roles the way God intended, it makes for a happy family. I hear some people remark from time to time that they wish there was a manual for living. Well, there is. God has given us instructions for living in the Bible--the Word of God. Last week I challenged my Sunday School class of 5th grade boys to read it every day and find verses that either tell them to do something or not to do something. I hope they at least tried and can share some of what they found in class today.

Growing up, we went to church every week as a family--non-negotiable. I think I missed a total of maybe 8 Sundays my whole life from when I started. Some of those were when I was away at camp and the rest were when I wasn't feeling well. My dad did well at bringing me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He also did well, for the most part, about not provoking me to anger. He lived a Godly life and was not a hypocrite.

I only remember a few times when he provoked me to anger and that wasn't until I was an adult and his health was failing. He sometimes refused my help with things that I tried to do to make life easier for him, such as hiring a cleaning woman once a month or changing his money in checking to a different account to earn more interest, or to pick up the mat or rugs that he could possibly trip on like the doctor said we should. Sometimes he was a very stubborn man!

I believe any man who reads "My Funny Dad, Harry" could gain some pointers on what makes a good dad. Mine was very, very good! I feel very blessed to have had such loving and wise parents.

Although Gerard and I don't have children, we do have pets and there are a lot of similarities in being a pet owner and a parent. Our pets surprised Gerard with a very unique father's day present this year with a Blurb book: Early Father's Day Gift Was A Hit. What was your best Father's Day gift?

For more posts about my wonderful dad, check out my other blog at "My Funny Dad, Harry." The link to it is in my navigator bar at the top and enjoy Father's Day. Spend time with your dad today while you can!

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6 comments:

Daisy said...

Your dad was very handsome!

BeadedTail said...

Your dad was indeed a special man and he raised a very special daughter too!

Heather's Blog-o-rama said...

Thanks for sharing this. I love to see photos of my friends parents. The stories are really interesting as well. I'm fortunate to have a dad who raised me to love Jesus Christ :) :) Greetings from Oregon, Heather :)

BJ_Mama said...

That's a Great picture of your dad! so natural!

Unknown said...

Stopping from SITS! He sounds like a good man. It also sounds like your looked out for him too.

Karen and Gerard said...

Daisy: I think so too. I loved his black hair and always liked messing it up. He was a very good sport about it.

Beaded Tail: How nice of you to say so. Thanks!

Heather's Blog-o-Rama: Godly parents are such a blessing! I feel bad for those who don't have good parents who love them and know how to show it.

BJ Mama: He used to have very black hair that I loved to mess up. I think this is a picture my mom took of him because the top of his head is cut off--she used to do that often when she took pictures.

JDaniel4sMom: Yes, my dad was a very good man and I did try to look out for him, even though it wasn't easy. Thanks for stopping by.

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