Most everyone who knows me, knows that I am a Daddy's girl through and through. I always imagined my life with Daddy in it. And never thought of going through life without him. He was my Daddy and I was his little girl. He would always say, "Bunkins no matter how old you get, you will always be my little girl."
At his celebration service I said a few words about him. The first sentence was, "My Daddy was not a perfect man, but he was a perfect Daddy." No he was not perfect but he was an incredible Daddy.
As the first Father's Day comes and goes I just want it to be over. It is just a constant reminder that my Daddy isn't here on earth. But if the Lord gave me a choice and said, "Your Daddy could come back and live out his life to 100 years old." I would say, NO WAY. I would not want my Daddy to leave the presence of the Lord to re-enter this broken, sinful, evil world. Our life on this earth is a millisecond compared to eternity. So even though I miss him terribly it will only be for a little while.
I would be lying if I said this adjustment has been easy. It has been far from that. I know the Lord has a plan. And He can use everything (even a death) for His glory if we allow Him to. But that is thing.....we have to ALLOW him to use whatever situation we are going through for His glory.
My Daddy taught me so many things:
He taught me how to love my spouse. First you must love the Lord more than you love your husband or wife (or anything). Then spoil them rotten. Always take time each day to listen to one another. And ALWAYS tell each other you love them daily and numerous times a day.
He taught me how to use tools and fix things. I was proficient in most tools by the time I could walk. I would always help him and my brothers work on cars, pour concrete, build stuff, etc. Whatever they were doing I would do my best to try to be in the center of it (or so my Bro tells me). Even though I could fix most things on my own, I still called my Daddy to come fix it, because frankly that's what Daddy's do.
He taught me to encourage people. During Daddy's visitation so many people shared how Daddy always encouraged them. Whether it was a hug, smile or a kind word. Or even one of his jokes that he would tell a million times. He had a gift for making people feel special and make them laugh.
He taught me to give back to others. The example that he and my Momma have set is how we all should live by. You can't out give God. Giving back doesn't always have to be about money. Money is the least thing. Both he and my Momma have given time, prayer and love to so many. And most of the time it is behind the scenes. He loved helping people!!!!!
He taught me about hard work. Daddy has always worked. He provided for his family. In the earlier years he and my Momma went without but always made sure my brothers and I were taken care of. He taught me the importance of providing for my family.
The list could go on and on.
But the most important thing he taught me was to the love the Lord with ALL my heart. Yes we are all human and we make mistakes, but that is the great thing about grace and forgiveness. Daddy loved the Lord and that made him a better husband, daddy, friend and human being.
I was blessed to have had such an incredible relationship with my Daddy. And I am a better person because of him.
