These days, Father’s Day is bittersweet for me.  Sigh.

As I celebrate my husband and the fantastic job he does with our two boys, I can’t help but remember – with a sad heart – the amazing man who raised me to be who I am today.

The sorrow doesn’t stay long because I realize I am blessed beyond measure to have had a father who loved me more than himself, disciplined me to make me a better person, taught me how to be a Christian in a fallen world and left me with a legacy of honesty, integrity, laughter and love.

What girl could ask for more?

I am fortunate to have had my dad 38 years.  While he was here, my dad showed me glimpses of the Almighty Father and practiced what he preached.

Don’t get me wrong…dad was far from perfect (his hair was close – ha, ha).  But, he was absolutely doing his best until his last breath and he called it like it was which made him real.

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. Psalms 103:13

In many ways, I have married someone very much like my dad.  On one hand, that makes me roll my eyes…A LOT!  However, on the other hand, it makes me happy to know that I sought out one just like my dad because he was that great!

Their similar attributes include:

1. Raised on a farm
2. Very handsome (hee, hee, hee)
3. Hard working
4. Disciplined
5. Intelligent
6. Loving
7. Playful
8. Jokers
9. Strong
10. God-fearing

As a mom of boys, I can only hope that my sons will grow up to be like their dad, Granddaddy Morgan or Granddaddy Spud (Lee’s dad who owns all ten characteristics, as well)!!!

One of the many reasons I hold these three fathers in high esteem is because they all are/were slow to anger, quick to forgive and always free with their love and kindness.

Expectations are great, but assistance and guidance are generously given…just the way I like it!!!

I see these three men akin to the father in the Prodigal Son story where love abounded and children were better for having been raised by them.

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Today, I celebrate the fathers in my life and I can only hope I help raise my boys to be just like them!

Happy Father’s Day!!

Some Wisdom for Today:  Proverbs 29:15 – The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.