My father passed away Valentine’s Day 1998. I still miss him. Of all things, I still pick up the phone and want to call him and tell him about church, life, and family. I especially would like to tell him about my grandchildren. He would love Reagan and be amazed at Jake, Chase, and Luke.
My dad grew up in the midst of the Great Depression. I’m not sure he ever got over that time period in his life. He had a drive and desire few people ever experience. He willed to do better and to make the most of his business and his family.
My dad was not perfect. He was stubborn and often impatient. You may have noticed some of those traits in me.
My father gave me drive and an example of hard work. He owned his own businesses and only wanted a business where he could get out and work and make the business grow. No offense to those of you who own retail outlets, but he couldn’t imagine standing behind a counter and hoping someone would come to buy something. He wanted to go out and get the business. It probably never occurred to him he could do the same with a retail business.
Daddy gave me two other examples for which I am especially grateful. First, he showed me by example how to treat a woman (I never remember this as a conversation). Behind the scenes and in the family, he treated my mother with tremendous tenderness and concern. I am thankful for that example.
Second, he loved his family and spent time with us. Most weeks my dad worked 65 or so hours a week. If he wasn’t working, he spent time with us. Our interests were his hobbies. Therefore, he worked and spent time with family. When my dad didn’t make one of my ballgames, my teammates would ask where he was.
On this Father’s Day, I want to be a man who works hard, loves my family, and honors my wife. My dad’s example tells me those things are important.
If you would like to read about the Southern Baptist Convention meeting in New Orleans this week, please go to www.waylonbailey.com for my blog. I write everyday and would love for you get my perspective on the proceedings.
4 Responses
What a wonderful legacy your dad left and it will live on forever. I can say the same about my dad. I’m sorry you never got to meet him. He never met a stranger, was loving and kind to all who knew him, and loved his Lord and served Him.
Ditto to the above comment. You’ve met my Mom. My Wife and Daughter are the Best; you’ve meet them too. Happy Father’s Day!
… met them too. 😉
Just read the following and thought: it is always good to acknowledge the “Father” on Father’s Day. It is reasonable to me that the reasoning applied should be noted by all who recognize what God taught us in our life experience is not to be forgotten; but, used by giving it back to Him in our Actions, our Dependence is on Him for the outcome. “Even though He slay me. Yet will I praise Him.” His Purpose is the Driver of True Life. Romans 12. A bit scary, yet how else should one define ones courage.
“I really like to say it’s God’s idea that I didn’t want to do,”
Coudrain said. Eventually, he decided, “there’s a need, the abbey’s
the perfect place and God was saying, ‘You know, I taught you
something, why don’t you use it?’ “