With Father’s Day approaching I couldn’t help but share the life lessons I have learned from my Dad.
1. Always make time for your children – Growing up I knew that if I ever needed my dad he was only a phone call away. It didn’t matter what was going on. He could be in charge of a meeting or on an important business call, but if I needed him, I had his full attention.
2. Communication is important – When I was in college, my dad wrote me every single day of my freshman year. Everyday after class I would walk into our campus post office, open my mail box, and find a letter written on a yellow notepad in black ink. Sometimes the letters were short, sometimes they were funny, and sometimes they were filled with deep thoughts, but they were always written with love.
3. Take time to make memories– My dad loves to travel. Every year he made it a priority to go on a family vacation. We would plan the trip far in advance, talk about it, dream about it, and then go on an adventure. He still loves to make memories with my children that way – creating adventurous memories that will last a lifetime!
4. Work hard – The morning after I graduated from high school, guess where I had to be. That’s right reporting for work at my Dad’s business. He didn’t even give me a day to celebrate my freedom from high school! My dad taught me the value of hard work and dedication. I am thankful he cared enough to teach me those lessons. Not only did he teach me, he provided an opportunity for me to learn skills that would serve me well in life!
5. Care deeply about others– If I asked for everyone my dad has ever helped to line up in single file, I am sure I would never see the end of it. I have never met someone who is as generous with his resources to others as him. From the inner city teenager who has gotten into trouble, to the father who just needs some extra money to help him through a tough time, he cares for them all.
6. The gospel must be shared– Every Saturday when I was growing up my father would take me fishing. We had a lot of fun and a lot of wild adventures. Then one day my dad sold his boat and became a fisher of men. He took the money from the sale of his boat and bought a trailer that he packed full of puppets, snacks, games, chairs, and sound equipment. He assembled a team, and every Saturday he would pull his trailer to an inner city park and share the gospel with the kids in the area. Rain or shine, every Saturday there would be children there waiting for him to show up. He cared for those kids. My dad never went to bible school, never had any “training,” and never attended a conference on how to reach inner city kids. However, he loves the Lord and wanted to share the gospel with those who needed to hear. He stayed with that ministry for a long time until he finally turned it to another couple who also had a heart to reach those children.
When it comes to dads I won the jackpot. He always teases that with each child we had he would pray that God would allow him to live long enough to see them graduate from High School. That was before he knew we would have so many children! Thankfully my youngest is three, and if God honors my father’s prayers he will be with us for a long time! Happy Father’s Day Dad!
Randy Carter says
I knew your Dad was awesome, I just didn’t know how awesome! He is an amazing Dad and raised a pretty amazing daughter.
Ginna Byrom says
This is just precious, Kim! Yes you certainly did hit the jack pot with him! He is such a special man, and I’m so blessed when I get to spend time with him.
Sarah Bishop says
A thousand times yes.
He’s a one in a million.
Tom and Kate Hargrove says
Kim, your dad seems to be an awesome Dad, he raised an “Awesome Daughter” I know for sure..Tell Trent Happy Father’s Day for us. will miss you next week end.. Love you!