Today is Father’s Day.  This is a paradox because there is no such thing as Father’s Day in China.  And in America, it is not yet the 18th of June…so techinically it’s not Father’s Day at all.

Oh well, we’ve celebrated it already on our side of the world…

The girls picked out and gave me a really nice light blue Nike basketball outfit for Father’s Day.  I think they got some help from mom or there’s no telling what my Father’s Day gift would have been?  (I’m thinking it would have been something pink…)

I got the chance to teach at our community gathering today which was held at a mountain park close-by.  I talked about the prodigal son (since I was one) and the importance of entering into that parable and understanding how we’ve all been "found" by our gracious Father. I think it went pretty well.

The real purpose of this post though is to honor my father.  I have a great dad.  I have so many great memories of my father and because he’s still such a young chap (53) there are still more to come.  I think having a great father often leads to becoming a great father.  I am still aspiring to this theory, anyway!  It’s not an easy job; let me tell you.  To say thanks to my dad, I just wanted to list a few memories that immediately come to mind:

• As a very young child I remember my dad as being a person who smiled at me often.  In blurry memories of my first few years, I remember him playing with me.
• As an older child, I remember my dad working really hard to go back to school to become a physical therapist in order to supply for our family.  I remember the "card table" he set up as a study desk in the living room.  He would paint houses as a form of making income and then come home and study for his classes.  Somehow, he still made time for us.  I never felt neglected.
• On school breaks, I remember dad taking us on long road trips down to Florida (from Kentucky).  Sometimes, my dad would drive all night so that we could have a longer vacation on the beach.
• I remember my dad throwing the Nerf football with me for hours on the beach…even though he might have rather been reading a good book instead.
• I remember being thrown by my dad…into pools, lakes, and oceans.  I’m pretty sure God designed fathers for hurling kids (playfully) into bodies of water.
• I remember a personal letter my dad wrote to me when I didn’t make the basketball team I had tried out for one year.  He encouraged me with the names of some of the great basketball players who were not successful at first (Bill Russell, Larry Bird, etc.)
• I remember my dad sitting in the stands of my games.  He never criticized my performance, but was always encouraging.
• Throughout my life, I remember being able to laugh with my dad about things…
• I remember learning so many things and sharing in so many experiences with my dad.   Watching movies, learning to drive, traveling to sporting events, borrowing his music, talking about books, shooting guns, etc.
• I remember when I came back to Christ at 18, my father left me a "thank-you note to God" he had written on the front dash of my car.
• I remember the blessing that my father gave me when I left Florida for Seattle with my fiancee (now wife).
• I remember my dad reading scripture at my wedding.
• I remember watching my dad (over the years) treat other people with respect and the love of Christ.  I’ve seen him do this in many ways over the years.  I have watched how he treats older folks that he works as a PT with or knows.  I have watched how he has sacrificially served others in practicial ways.  I have watched him love and honor my mom.  I have watched him serve among the body of Christ at his church.  There is no agenda with my dad.  He just does these things because of his character.
• I remember the painful phone conversation I had with my dad last June when I was about to leave the country.  (Like I said, it’s not easy being a dad…especially when your kids have to live so far away!)
• I remember hearing my dad say many times to me, "I love you…"

I could go on and on.  I realize that I am very blessed to have a father like this.  It is often, sadly, not the norm these days.  My dad is a humble guy and I’m sure he would be the first to claim that I am painting an "idealistic" picture of him.  But these are ALL real memories and real events.  He’s really like this (ask my mom and sister!)  I owe a lot to my dad.  He has helped me better understand God as a loving Father.

Dad, wishing you a very Happy Father’s Day.  Missing you over here and wishing we could hang out today and eat buffalo wings.  Thanks for being such a great model for me.  I’ll try my best to pass on that tradition to my girls…

You’re a cool, daddy-o!