A Day for Dad

The Bible says to honor your father and mother (Exodus 20:12). How do we do that? There are many ways, but how about these ideas for starters: Listening to them, respecting them, and showing gratitude for who they are and what they do 

I grew up as a PK, or "preacher's kid." In the professional world, Dad joined the Ministerial Association wherever we lived. But to me, he was a "pastor."

Pastor brings to mind pasture. Pasture brings to mind sheep. Sheep need a shepherd. Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me” (John 10:14). That was the type of relationship Dad had with people in his congregations.

Dad loved to study God's Word. In fact, I was blessed by his preaching from both the Old and New Testaments. 

I've heard people say, “You preachers have it easy. You only work on Sunday.” Not true. With Dad, ministry was twenty-four/seven.

Sometimes people came to our home, sometimes to his office. He went to them, too, through hospital and home visitation. He felt it was important to care for God's sheep in practical ways and everyday settings.

My life was greatly influenced by his consistency. Although compassionate to the wayward, he held himself accountable to personal principles. For example, his word was his bond. 

Before Dad passed away, I was his caregiver for two and a half years. I often saw him read his giant print Bible and get down on his knees to pray. This matched my childhood memories.

For the last three days of his life, he was in a hospice care center. My oldest brother sat by him most of that time. 

One day, while enjoying a cup of hot tea in a deli, I felt prompted to go home and get my Bible. I wanted to honor my Psalm One Daddy.

Standing close to his bedside, I said, “Dad, according to Psalm One, you are a blessed man. You have not taken advice from the wicked, but you’ve walked in the ways of the Lord as you’ve read and studied His word.”

“You may not have felt prosperous, but God met your daily needs. You have consistently produced spiritual fruit as you’ve shared God’s Word and prayed for people."

“And there are people in the churches you pastored who have continually loved the Lord and raised their families to do the same.” 

Then I read Psalm One out loud, but Dad never responded. Hospice says hearing is the last to go, so I believe he heard me. 

Dad died in 2012, but today is Father's Day, and I'm honoring my father by sharing this special memory. 

Pixabay: Ai Generated, Dad, Heart; GDJ.