This a transcript of the words I spoke at my father’s memorial service. This will be my fourth Father’s Day since he went to be with his Heavenly Father. My Dad made a difference in my life. You will make a difference in the lives of your children. Children listen only sometimes. But they are always watching. My Dad probably never realized how closely I was watching. I can only pray that my Son’s will feel as blessed to call me Dad as I was to address my own father.   My Dad was a good man. Not a perfect man. Kindness was his calling card to everyone around him. The last time I saw my father he left me with a memory that will stay with me till I join him in eternity. My last visit with Dad was a roller-coaster of emotions. He had made a remarkable and inspiring comeback from his devastating brain injury. I had talked to him
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We started this series with a few samples from humor writer Dave Barry detailing some things it took him fifty years to learn. It took me a long time to learn some of the things on this list about leaving a positive legacy as a father. My prayer is that young dads will save some time and regrets by reading this list. No one ever wishes they had worked more – Read yesterday’s post for more on this important point. Pick your battles wisely – Make sure it is an issue that is worth confrontation. Middle son Scott told us that we did this well: “I knew it was important when you guys dug in on something.” Innoculate your kids to the world – You must help your children prepare to go into a world that is filled with temptation and pitfalls. Providing a protective cocoon for eighteen years does not prepare them to leave home. Answer on the first tug –
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Every dad leaves a legacy. I have learned a few things through trial and many errors about being a dad who is trying to leave a positive legacy. Previous installments detailed two ways to leave a good legacy. Love your wife Be an encouragement to your kids Today we will examine two more ways to establish a positive legacy. And we are adding a very dangerous twist today. I polled my three sons about my strengths and (gasp) shortcomings as their father. Those knee-buckling results were sobering and instructive. First, the third way to leave a positive legacy as a dad.    3.  Enjoy every mile of the journey The best description I have heard about being a parent is this bit of wisdom:  “Parenting…the days are long and the years are short.” In his book, Being a Good Dad When You Didn’t Have One, Tim Wesemann gives his readers a two-word piece of advice: “Lighten up!”  He says that adults laugh an average of 15 times a
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The most recent post began a four-day series on leaving a legacy as an earthly father. Every dad leaves a legacy. The only question is what kind. The first step to leaving a positive legacy is to love your wife. For some readers that already has not worked out. That does not mean that you cannot leave a good legacy. There are many ways to redeem the father/child relationship. Here is part two of the series. The second part of leaving a legacy that endures is to be an encouragement to your kids. Paul wrote this simple instruction to the church at Colossae.  Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. The Message translates this verse  like this…. Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits. I cannot remember hearing a lot of teaching on that verse over the years. It is really easy in this success mad culture to discourage your children. Nearly
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Humor writer Dave Barry compiled a list of things it took him 50 years to learn. I have selected a handful of Barry’s observations.  1. You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight-savings time. 2. The most powerful force in the universe is gossip. 3. The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background,is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers. 4. There is a very fine line between “hobby” and “mental illness.” 5. If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be “meetings.” 6. No matter what happens, somebody will find a way to take it too seriously. I am also a slow learner. But one thing I have learned in my journey is that every
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Warning: The following post may (or, sadly, may not) contain humor. This blog was produced in a program where irony and satire are processed. May contain sarcasm fragments. If you are allergic to humor or attempts at humor please avoid this product.  A potentially incendiary topic came up again as I rummaged through the Healthy Living section of the Dallas Morning News. I had ventured onto the thin ice of male and female brain differences in an earlier post. Having survived that article I am demonstrating the lack of male brain development by going there again. My bride and her female co-conspirators often forward e-mails that point out the unique qualities of men. For example… Question: What is the difference between men and government bonds? Answer: Government bonds will mature. My only defense is that the grey matter of the average male truly is different. Some of the key findings include that, on average, men’s brains are about 10 percent larger than their female counterparts. Why? Most scientists believe
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Yesterday was spent at the Slow Drip Spa as Joni received her next to last chemo treatment. We have learned so much over the past 16 months. An earlier story called the Cancer Chronicles linked some of the blogs that were written during this difficult journey. One of the more subtle but most important lessons is the subject of today’s humble ramblings. A country song reminded me again about a critical lesson that we learned just a few months down the long and winding road of treatment. Tracy Lawrence has a hit recording about friendship. The song is titled “You Find Out Who Your Friends Are” and Lawrence notes that some friends step up when there is a need. Run your car off the side of the roadGet stuck in a ditch way out in the middle of nowhereGet yourself in a bind lose the shirt off your backNeed a floor need a couch need a bus fare This is where
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