As this past Sunday was Father’s Day, please forgive me for not sending a blog post honoring our Dads prior to their day. It’s hard to believe my Dad passed away from colon cancer 10 years ago this year. I pray you gave your Dad and the Dad-like men in your life encouragement like we did for Mother’s Day.

It would be an honor to tell you some of the many ways my Dad impacted my life. For so many years our relationship was strained, as my parents divorced after 37 years of marriage. The Lord helped heal our relationship. I know my Dad loved me the best way he knew how.

Here’s to you, Dad, just a few of your lessons for which I am thankful:

1. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me how to check the oil dipstick in my old car, so that I never messed up my engine or blew my transmission. That car I drove in high school, Awesomobile,  burnt a quart of oil every 200 or so miles. I loved that car and am grateful that I had it.
2. Thank you, Dad, for providing for all my needs and many of my wants. We were blessed with a nice house, plenty of food to eat, plenty of clothes and shoes, and you even paid for my wonderful out-of-state college education. It was such a gift not to have to pay back college loans.
3. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me to appreciate the outdoors and fishing. You even taught me to cast a fishing rod and how to bait my own hooks—I wasn’t squeamish about the worms and minnows most of the time.
4. Thank you, Dad, for taking us to church every time the door was open. Your dedication to the Lord and His Word helped mold my faith.
5. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me how to budget my money and spend wisely. I remember how you paid bills promptly and taught me how to abhor debt. I still to this day try to avoid debt, except for my mortgages.
6. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me a strong work ethic. You worked hard at Delta Air Lines for 33 years before you retired. You liked to finish tasks you started and showed me follow through and doing what you said you would do.
7. Thank you, Dad, for showing me to volunteer in the community and help others behind-the-scenes. You used to mow and weedeat the end of our street where no one would mow. You also mowed around the Turkey Creek bridge in Hanahan where you would walk daily. You thought no one knew. We knew and appreciated your quiet good deeds.
8. Thank you, Dad, for trying to come to many of my basketball and volleyball games. Your presence was such a present.

Dad, I pray you can see from heaven I’m trying to carry on the Jordan legacy. Rest assured that I love my Heavenly Father, my Abba, with my whole soul. Thank you for loving me, Dad.

Reflect:

–What are some ways you are thankful for your earthly father?  Please comment.

–How will you strengthen your relationship with him.

Renew:

–“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” –Exodus 20:12 NIV84

–“Listen to your father, who gave you life…” –Proverbs 23:22a NIV84

–“The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad…” –Proverbs 23:24-25a NIV84

Recharge:

–What is something you did on Father’s Day or can do this week to honor your Dad?

–If your relationship with your father is strained, please prayerfully consider reaching out and forgiving him. I reached out years ago, and it was such a relief to our hearts.