What’s the best way to honor a parent? Pay back all the money you “borrowed” over the years? Engrave a special tribute on a paver brick? Give a gift to a favorite charity in his name? All of these might be appropriate. But, I took advantage of the opportunity God gave me yesterday. I was invited to share the principles of Life in God’s Way with a group of pastors and other church workers in Nebraska. Since Dad lives in Nebraska, I made arrangements for him to attend. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about having Dad there. He’d never been able to attend one of my seminars prior to this. I grew up idolizing Dad as the perfect Christian man and father. While I’ve grown to understand that he’s not infallible, I still respect him as a tremendous man of God with great wisdom and Christian character. I really wanted to honor him.
That’s why I prayed for God to help me simply be faithful to His Word and to present my material in the same way I always have before. That’s the heart of Life in God’s Way. Faithfulness to God’s Word. Real life application drawn from experience. Sharing what I saw in my Christian home as a child. And that’s how I could honor Dad. It was a joy for me to show him that I really had been watching, listening and learning from him as a child. I could honestly say to that group of church leaders that I had been blessed with a dad who modeled Life in God’s Way. I could pass on to them what I had received. And without making a big presentation or embarrassing show, I was able to honor Dad … in God’s way.
Thank you Dad! I love you!
Dad!