Happy Father's Day!

Just talked to Dad and wanted to,in front of my whole reading audience(hee, hee), thank God for blessing us with such a wise and wonderful Dad and Grandpa. Dad is genuine with a capital G, in his love for others and his relationship to God. It is in a big way through he and Mom's willingness to let God transform their lives, that I could see God's power in a real way-something that affects my life's every moment. Some good memories from growing up: Dad-always loving and cheerful no matter how tired he is or how long of a day he's had- he never pushed us away or made us feel that we were annoying to him, so if his sermons were a little sketchy for awhile, maybe you'll understand....just kidding Dad!, more likely he just got very little sleep! He made us laugh, usually at disgusting things that mortified MOther...ELWIN! He tickled us silly...and (it must be in the genes-as my boys seem to have inherited it), had to have his name called into infinity and finally whacked a few times when he was reading to get his attention! And to his exasperation over our lack of discipline with oil etc, kept our cars running......until we mashed them to bits or blew them up or something, and then he just found us another clunker, oops did I just say that...! Oh, and must not forget his detailed explanations(groan, patient sigh, oh, why did I ask? but thanks dad I'm sure I can recall some of how an engine works??....) and stories ...a trait well passed on both to this generation thru me to my oldest son- you are spending lots of time reading this blog, right?! Just wait until Sage can type!! I"ll never forget a long conversation I had with Dad(I can remember where I was pacing:) in our apartment and the events around the conversation)when I was living in Pittsburgh with friends after college, and struggling with my identity, I said I hated the hypocrisy of Christians-but I think it was actually mostly my own self-righteousness. I remember saying I had no desire to go to church because of this hypocrisy, and then his reply that Christians are not perfect people -he never pushed me that I needed to go to church or seemed frantic or disappointed that I was going the wrong direction, instead he directed me to the Bible and said, just read it, don't worry about all the other stuff. He didn't make me feel stupid or awful or so wrong to be questioning what I should have known, his answer made me face up to my real reasons for not going to church, and not wanting to be around other Christians, had he scolded me or ranted at me I would have had just the reason I wanted to hide behind and say I told you so. That gentle and wise response just may be one of the pivotal influences in my desire to know God in a real way.
I have no clue how Dad juggles all the balls in his court so graciously----well,actually I do, an organized wife and a big God would have to get the credit I'd say. And I can't count the number of people who love and appreciate and have had their lives touched by him(although I've hated to share at times, I am more than proud and thankful)-count me in as one of his biggest admirers----I love you Dad and miss you lots, especially as I think of your balanced wisdom and always having an answer to my deep questions, although sometimes it might be I don't know or maybe that the answer isn't so important for us to know-- you've (and mom, and mom, and mom!)listened to my many immature passionate discourses throughout the years with great patience and great restraint I'm sure... and then your willingness to express your love to Kenji, I and our boys who all love you dearly. I can feel your love through the phone,even though I can't feel your great hello and goodbye hug and kiss or see your teary eyes when you say I love you. I could have no greater joy than to have my boys spend time with you and know you, you are a wonderful example of who I would love for them to become one day. We truly love you too and please know that you(and Mom) are a powerful testimony to anyone who knows you, to God's power to use those who present their lives to Him as a whole, not just a segmented "spiritual" Sunday life, but the whole thing- a work in progress and always open to learn from whatever is presented. Thanks Dad for working so hard and loving what you do and for desiring to live out the truth no matter how difficult. I love you.