Looking Back with Gratitude
I didn’t always know the biblical principle to “honor your father and mother” the way I do now. Today, I want to honor my dad by celebrating family memories, choosing gratitude for the lessons learned from my father, and finding joy in the family God gave me as I share with you. I hope this post blesses you!
Imperfect Families, Abundant Blessings
Parents: the imperfect beings God tasked with the momentous job of training children in the way they should go. Not all parents understand the value of leaning on God and his Word to help them raise their families. Parents were once children, too, who experienced things that shaped their values, thinking, and behavior. Knowing this, rather than allowing unpleasant thoughts to cloud my mind, I deteremine to choose compassion and forgiveness, with an appreciation for God’s many and abundant blessings in family life.
The Family I was Given
There were four of “us kids”, whom Mom stayed home to care for while Dad worked an outside job to provide for us. They did what they knew to give us a good life: sent us to a private school, saved up to have summers filled with quality outdoor experiences, provided swimming lessons, piano lessons, Scouts and Blue Birds, and so much more. Nothing was perfect, but it was our family.
Childhood Memories that Shaped me
Today, I want to focus on some of my memories of my Dad, on how he impacted my life, and on some of the things I learned from him. The things listed below are not, by any means, in order of importance; just a mish-mash as they come to me now while writing this post:
- Dad insisted that our family always attend Church together.
- Dad was a leader: in the congregation where we attended, in his workplace, in his business ventures, and in our family. He was kind, yet firm. He strove to understand where other people were coming from, and looked out for the weak.
- Dad gave me a nickname that he continued to call me until the time of his passing. I never minded him calling me that name, silly as it may have sounded to others. It was between the two of us; it made me feel special.
- Dad gave us rides. Laying on his back on the living room carpet, we leaned forward as we sat facing him on his lower legs, holding his hands. He would bounce us up and down a few times, then, on the count to three, toss us heels-over-head, over his head and onto the soft carpet. No one ever got hurt.
- Dad locked arms with me when I was a teen whenever we walked together in public; I was proud to be seen with my dad.
- Dad sang crazy songs, encouraging all of us to sing with him “at the top of our lungs” as we hiked around Olallie Lake. “The Cattle Call” was one of his favorites, giving him opporutnity to yodel!
- Dad promised to give me candy for every 100% received on a test, and did so until my 100′ s showed up too often. He hadn’t promised candy of a certain size, and began offering an M&M for each 100%. I pushed back on that one!
- Dad let me clean his freshly-caught trout, saying I was his special fish cleaner. His praise got me through the initial disgust, cleaning carefully so he would be pleased.
- Dad and I pulled weeds together in our vegetable garden. It was quiet and friendly, and I loved how it felt when the roots of small weeds popped free.
- Dad was quick to laugh at anything funny, pointing it out to others so they could enjoy a laugh with him. I loved my dad’s hearty laugh!
- Dad enjoyed picking and gobbling huckleberries and service berries as we walked through the woods of the beautiful Pacific Northwest near Mt. Jefferson. He talked about the fresh scents, inhaling deeply of the fresh air.
- Dad also liked to simply listen as we hiked or sat near our campsite, then point out to us what he heard: the pounding-pecking of woodpeckers; Stellar’s Jay’s raucous calls; the scolding of Canada Jays, which we called camp-robbers; and the repeated dee-dee-dee of Chickadees. Sharing his love for the outdoors and his woodsman’s knowledge with his kids seemed to make him happy.
- Dad would allow me to row our family’s wooden rowboat on Olallie Lake, instructing me on how to do it just right, so my Dad could angle for fish. When he caught one, I got credit for my rowing skill!
- Dad gave us “spending money” to buy candy from the corner Ma & Pa store. When he got home from work I’d sneak the candy I bought into Dad’s pockets as we hugged. He laughed, giving it back to me. I didn’t want it; I wanted to have something to give him. Once that was clear, he relented and accepted my gift.
Treasuring Ordinary Moments
One of the primary things I believe I have gotten from my dad is to cherish the simple, the every-day, even the mudane. You can see there was nothing very impressive or spectacular in my list of memories. When we slow down to truly appreciate the little things, our lives are enriched and the lives of those around us.
Life really is short; the longer I live, the more aware of that I am! “Take time to smell the roses”, is along the lines of what my dad would tell someone who is faced with too much to do and not enough time, or dealing with more bills than income.
Life can be hard, in so many different ways, yet God has given his people rest and refreshing in his presence. If only we will determine to push all the distractions and responsibilities aside long enough to spend time with God, our loving Savior.
It is right to slow down, savor the moments that matter, celebrate the little things, and cherish the Dad, the family, God has given you. ~ Julie Mitchell
Peter tells us, in regard to praying, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” I Peter 5:7. Doing this enables you to live graciously, rather than overwhelmed.
After giving your cares to Jesus you can begin to enjoy the abundant life God has given you. A life in which you know it is right to slow down, savor the moments that matter, celebrate the little things, and cherish the Dad, the family, God has given you.
