My Father’s Love
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks of a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” Matthew 7:7-11
When I think of my father, and how to describe him, I have a hard time accurately portraying a man I am so blessed to be the daughter of. I thank God everyday for him. I also remember that God Our Father, is my dad’s father too! Dad has showed by word and deed that God does provide for our every need when we turn to Him in sincerity.
My earthly father has lived a life of modesty and demonstrated good stewardship in all he was entrusted with. Before marrying my mom, he served in WW II. When he returned home he married my mom and worked hard as a fireman serving and protecting the community. He would not even accept a free bus ride on his way to work because he did not feel he should be treated different than anyone else. Over the course of his life he had nine children that he provided for so he always looked for ways to improve his income. Dad worked his way up to Deputy Chief before retiring to spend some quality time with mom. Mom became ill shortly after and went through a long battle with cancer before passing on to God’s loving arms. But through it all, Dad stood strong. He may not realize how he was a source of strength during this difficult time and many others to follow, but he surely was and remains to be till this day!
Dad is the human example of our Heavenly Father’s love for us. He took my brothers and sisters and myself on many trips to museums, an exciting trip to the Worlds Fair in 1965 ( where he packed a bag of assorted home-made sandwiches so we wouldn’t waste money eating out), trips to the beach and the park, Washington D.C., and a even a simple game of touch football made us feel cared for and loved. Riding the train to Coney Island, and family picnics when we would always beg to “stop by Grandma and Grandpa’s house on the way home”. These were just some of the many special times we looked forward to. After Mom passed away Dad taught religious instruction classes for our parish church and two of my children had the pleasure of being a student in Grandpa’s class! What a gift! I could go on and on, especially about his "boxty" recipe, but I think my message of love and gratitude has been expressed.
Dad has always been a man of honor in every sense of the word. A living reminder of how great our Heavenly Father’s love for us is! Thank you Dad, for being who you are, and thank you Heavenly Father for the generosity and love you have shown for me by sharing Dad with me!
Dad is now ninety years young and has twenty-four grandchildren and I have lost count of the great-grandchildren! I hope we honor him in the same way he has honored us.
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Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within your house, your children like olive plants around your table. Behold, for thus shall the man be blessed Who fears the LORD.
The LORD bless you from Zion, And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life. Indeed, may you see your children’s children. Psalm 128
I love you Dad!
2 comments:
It's interesting that each generation looks back at the previous lifetimes with awe and admiration. The famines, the migrations to strange lands, the wars, the economic struggles. The great generations did not feel great, they no doubt felt the weight of the world pressing in on them and had regular reminders of thier mortality. Though some history revisionist will deny it, by and large , previous generatons of Americans were aware of thier Christian founders and Christian heritage, and they were aware of thier obligations to God and to each other. Your father is a living example. They didn't live thier lives with the purpose of becoming great, they became great in our eyes because they largely lived by those principals. Although we don't feel great we now carry the torch and we are more than Conquerors through him who gives us strength.
Thank you for that beautiful contribution! Have a blessed day McGuyver!
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