There comes a time in our lives when we go into reflection mode. If you have been reading about my journey, you know that I’m in that mode. My thought today is to encourage us to become reflective sooner rather than later. For example, today is Father’s Day and since I wasn’t writing yet on Mother’s Day, I hope you didn’t forget reaching out to or thinking about your mother on Mother’s Day.
There is so much to be reflective about. Thinking back on all of the blessings we’ve received; a good stable home environment with loving parents, a supportive spouse who walks our journeys hand-in-hand, and loving children, some who might be in their early forties while others who might be well into their fifties but who still make us proud every day. Then there are the grand and great grandchildren some whose lives have really just begun. We know from the early indications that, they to, will make us proud. Hopefully, you will hear from all your children today; moms and dads alike.
Well, on this Father’s Day some are fortunate to still have their fathers with them while others still have the fondest memories of their fathers. If you can, reach out to your father today and tell him how much he means to you. If your father is not with you, share a story about him with someone who may not have known him. Edgar Guest’s poem, Only A Dad, can easily be about our dad, all of our dads.
Only A Dad
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.
Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife.
Bearing the whips and scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich or proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim,
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad but the best of men.
Just like our fathers here on earth, our Father in heaven can be counted on when most needed.
“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm,
For God can be trusted to keep his promise.” – Hebrews, 10:23 –
I can remember the many times when my dad made me feel safe. You see, I didn’t then and still do not “do dark.” Nighttime noises are usually followed by, “Sue, did you hear that? Should ‘we’ check it out?”
“I prayed to the Lord and he answered me freeing me from all my fears.”
“I cried out to the Lord in my suffering, and he heard me.”
“He set me free from all of my fears.” – Psalm 34:4, 6 –
Update
Busy weekend: had dinner Friday with daughter Sara and friends of ours and visited friends who are moving back to Chicago. Then, later today, dinner and quality time with our Indianapolis family members and thinking about how I miss the Pittsburgh (and San Francisco) families. Infusion tomorrow.
Stay Strong!