When I was younger, I felt that some of my friends allowed me to take on a disproportionate amount of expense when we did things together. Sometimes, I felt taken advantage of, even used. Now I don’t feel that way. Probably because I now have super friends and I have more money. But still, I had to learn how to navigate these minefields because I didn’t know how. Why? Because I was accustomed to an example of generosity in my father.
Daddy isn’t generous because he has an unbelievable amount of money. What he does possess is a heart filled with generosity for others. I don’t remember an exception. I have a cheap picture of Jesus from my childhood that Daddy bought from a missionary. I have never seen that exact rendition before or since, but it occupied a place on my book shelf and now it decorates my home altar. I’ve seen Daddy cover more than his fair share of restaurant checks, parking fees, tolls, gasoline — you name it. My husband always remembers when an acquaintance showed up at my parents’ front door one Sunday morning drunk and asking for money. Daddy proved his generosity once again. Some people may argue that he shouldn’t have given the drunk man any money, nor should Daddy allow his generosity to let him be taken advantage of. Sometimes this seems to happen. Daddy never shows any resentment or regret. Isn’t a generous heart worth more than a few extra dollars?
Because of Daddy, I have always aspired to be generous. I am grateful to this example, among many others, that my daddy set for me. Happy Father’s Day, Daddy.
Your turn:
Who is your favorite father in fiction or real life? Why?
What is your favorite character trait in your father?
Other than Jesus, who is the most inspiring male figure in your life?
The Power of Well Chosen Words
My favorite fictional father would have to be Atticus Finch in “To Kill a Mockingbird.” I can’t think of a fictional daddy who loves his children more or one who was determined to do the right thing.
My favorite character trait in my Dad was his perseverance. He had many setbacks in life, but he never let it overwhelm him. He always picked himself up by his bootstraps and carried on.
My two grandfathers are the most inspiring male figures in my life. They both came from broken homes and more or less had to raise themselves, lived during the Great Depression and WWII. Broke free from the darkness that their fathers fell prey to, fell in love and married, had beautiful children and lived good clean lives.
My dad is my favorite father figure in real life. I recently told friends how when one college of pharmacy decided not to admit me, the dean called my dad and told him that I needed to find a different career. At that point I was a divorced, single mother, and the dean said I’d never make it through pharmacy school. So Daddy had to break the news to me, but when he did he said he’d taken a week off work and we’d go visit other colleges that had pharmacy schools and God would help with the out-of-state tuition. And that’s what we did, and that’s how I ended up at UGA. When my friend heard this story he said, “Jackie, that makes me respect your dad even more.”
I am blessed to have a loving and supportive father. He’s always there for any of us who need him.
I hope you all have a great Father’s Day weekend!
Jackie, your story just brought tears to my eyes. What an amazing father you have!
My father’s favorite character trait was his constant abiding awareness of the magnificence of life and his moment-by-moment expectation of wonderful revelation in it. I could never count the number of times he brought me around one corner or another, and spread his arms to show me a spot of breathtaking natural beauty or the result of a man’s imagination or the commemoration of historical victory. I never realized how many people are nurtured not with a sense of abiding adventure, but in fear of the unexpected. My father showed me that life may take some hard turns, but more often, the unexpected can bring overwhelming delight.
My father exhibited superior patience and love with me as I was growing through my teenage years. Rebellious would be understating the facts, and regardless of what I did to displease him, I always knew that he loved me without a doubt. He was not perfect, and many would say that he was not a model father at all for he had his own demons. But for me he was everything. He taught me what unconditional love is. And I always knew that when I was afraid, or lost or uncertain – I could count on his support. I love you dad – and I miss you!
My favorite father in real life is my own little Jewish dad. So similar to the description of your own father, Tamela. He owned a shoe store, and I saw him call customers when the factory in our community was on strike or even after it closed. He’d tell folks to bring their kids in to get their school shoes, and told them that when they could, they could pay him. Most actually did. He couldn’t pass a person who looked down on their luck without offering to buy them a meal. He understood the principle of sowing and reaping and was born with a generous heart. Great example for me growing up. He’s been gone for 20 years and I think of him every day.
Tamela, I love the description of your father’s generosity and the legacy he’s leaving you.
My favorite real life father is my own. He grew up without a father figure in his life. Even spent some time in an orphanage when his mother couldn’t afford to take care of him. He’s not the perfect dad, but his loyalty and affirmation for us three girls goes deep. He has consistently done what he needed to to “be there” for my sisters and me. He’s lived a life of integrity that has spoken without him ever speaking a word about how to live such a life. He’s hard working. His loyalty is one characteristic that comes to mind first when I think of him.
One of my favorite fictional father figures is Matthew Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables. He knew Anne’s heart and parented her on that level.
My most treasured male figure would have to be David Wilkerson, who is now in heaven. Although I never got to meet him, he did converse with me once or twice and I treasure it. His example and fight to serve God without compromise served to keep me through my Christian walk and I still receive his devotions and have all his sermons.
My earthly father was not a godly man but I thank him for teaching me obedience and providing for me in my childhood. No matter what our father’s were like there is something we can thank God for if we look hard enough. I learned to obey God easily because of what my earthly father taught me.
Tamela, I enjoyed reading about your dad, and I like the questions you’ve posed this morning.
My favorite father figure is my husband, Ian. Although we were both raised in unsaved families, we have striven to be godly parents ourselves. My husband has grown so much in his sacrificial love and service to our three children and me. When he works overtime our teenagers miss him. After he returns home everyone comes back to life.
My favorite character trait in my dad was his gentleness. In my childhood I never once was afraid of him. Yes, I had some spankings–but only as was appropriate. He came to know the Lord before he died in 1998 at the age of 62.
The most inspiring male figure in my life has definitely been Dr.James Dobson. When I read that he gave up a prestigious position in order to pursue what he believed God wanted him to do I was impressed. The organization, Focus on the Family, that he founded has been a “first family” to me. They’ve helped me raise my children in a loving, healthy, and well-balanced manner.
Blessings ~ Wendy ❀
My earthly father was verbally abusive; an ungodly man. It wasn’t until I married that I gained a experienced the love of a father.
My father-in-law accepted and loved me as his daughter. He encouraged me, lifted me up, and made sacrifices for me. I am sure I would not have made my way in the world as successfully without him. I had a wonderful career as an engineer because of the confidence he had in me, and helped me gain in myself. I love him and can’t wait for the day I join him in Heaven.
My favorite father character is a man who is larger than life. He was born with a grin on his face, and was deemed the Golden Child in Norway. His cousin dined with the prince of Norway, and he used to run naked along the fiords. Louder than any man I’ve ever met, his laughter now spills down the hills and vallies of Winthrop, Washington. He makes friends with everyone he meets, and thinks of others first. Never short of ideas for how to improve the world, or a everything in it, he seeks to make things better, one piece at a time. He pours his life into his two daughters, because he wants them to have everything he never had. This man didn’t have an encouraging father, but it didn’t stop him from giving his heart to his family day in and day out. He is my favorite father character, and he’s my dad, too. Kjell Lie, the Crazy Norwegian and my very own super-dad!
My husband is also generous. I know that this may not be true for everyone, but it seems the more he gives, the more he receives. Still, I admire him more for his integrity and determination to stand up for right in spite of the consequences.