Thanks, Dad!

Those who know me know the last month has been challenging. Four weeks ago, my dad’s doctor found a mass on his pancreas and another on his liver. He got COVID-19 before additional tests could be run; however, a CAT scan soon confirmed cancer in his liver and lungs. Just eight days later, Dad drew his final breath. When he passed, I knew I would write about the most influential man in my life.

Dad’s early life was unimpressive. Though intelligent, he focused on entertaining his classmates at school, not on learning. He graduated from high school but could barely read. My parents married five months after his graduation, and I arrived 10 months later.

Dad worked hard in a sawmill and, within five years, was the one who decided how logs were cut into lumber. Around that time, he heard God tell him he was to preach. Not every preacher has this experience, but for preachers who do, it is profound. Still, for someone who could not read, it was overwhelming. Despite that, Dad said yes and began learning to read, eventually becoming an avid reader.

For the next 50 years, Dad operated several sawmills and pastored multiple churches. He operated one of the larger sawmill operations in his community and started a church, which became the largest in the area.

These accomplishments are impressive, but not why I am proud of Dad. Here are the actual reasons I treasure my father. Despite hard work and long hours, he consistently made time for his family and Dad loved my mother. They were only a few months away from their 65th anniversary, yet anyone around them knew they were devoted to one another. In Matthew 22:37-40, Jesus explained that scripture’s two most important commands are loving God and those around us. Dad lived this way; he passionately loved God, and treated everyone as a person of worth, even those overlooked by others.

Many over-achievers are impatient –Dad was not. I never saw him lose his temper. This is not to say he never got irritated or frustrated, but if he ever needed to say he was sorry for saying something hateful in a moment of anger, I did not witness it. Although not perfect, Dad’s five children loved and respected him, and he was adored by all 15 of his grandchildren.

When I think of my dad’s legacy, the Apostle Paul’s words come to mind. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me – the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me…” (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT) May each of us live a consistent godly life that our families and friends would do well to follow.

Thanks, Dad, for being a wonderful father. You are missed, but I look forward to seeing you again.