The title of Dad
Our pastor shared a sweet story today about bringing his young son to his office one day. He was looking around and saw his dad’s business cards on his desk and asked what they were.
“Business cards.”
“What do you do with them?”
“I leave them if I’m visiting someone and they aren’t at home or if they are sleeping in the hospital. It lets people know who I am and that I have been there.”
Nothing more was said and his son began to color at another table. A little while later his son brought his dad one of the business cards. The title of pastor had been marked out and in red crayon off to the side were big letters where his son had written “DAD”.
His son said … “NOW people will know who you are.”
I am so fortunate because my own dad and my children’s dad both had “DAD” written on their business cards … not for anyone to see, but it was there. I know it was there because my dad demonstrated it to me with his time and my husband to our kids.
My dad at times taught college until late at night and then came home and “tutored” me in math. It had to be frustrating because, to this day, I still don’t understand any real world use for geometry or algebra.
None at all.
I also remember my first day of high school I got sick early in the day. It was my dads first day too but he came and picked me up … and I’m sure it was tricky to make that happen.
In much the same way, Bill often works long days and long nights. But if his kids need him, he is there. He “tutors” Caroline in math but the record should reflect that she “gets it”.
My apologies to my own dad!
Anyway … today we went to PAPPAsito’s for lunch (emphasis on Papa, get it!?). They used to give out coffee mugs for Father’s Day and Bill was amassing quite the collection. I guess the economy has stopped that, but they did take this picture and gave us a copy:
The restaurant was holding a coloring contest where you colored a picture and put your name and phone number on it. They will be choosing a winner and that person will get their name on the restaurant marquis. Savannah totally wants to win. Unfortunately some water spilled on her “masterpiece” and so after we had eaten she asked if she could go back outside (did I mention it is sweltering here?!?).
Since I had dropped Caroline off for church camp we were in two cars. Bill (patiently) sat outside (in the heat) while Savannah finished her second picture. I told him he could go … it was Father’s Day and it was hot. He said … “no, I’ll stay.” And Savannah said …. “yeah, because he’s awesome.”
And I couldn’t agree more.
About Bill or my dad.
Happy Father’s Day to two men who put dad on their business card!
I think you both are awesome!
“A Father’s Love
A father is respected because
he gives his children leadership…
appreciated because
he gives his children care…
valued because
he gives his children time…
loved because
he gives his children the one thing
they treasure most - himself.
The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him.
Proverbs 20:7 NKJV