Sunday, June 20, is Father’s Day. This month’s blogs are about the role and responsibilities of being a father.
It’s Monday at 5:30 a.m. You could always find my dad getting up and doing his exercises, then having his devotion time and eating breakfast before he arrived at work one hour before he was scheduled to be at Savannah Electric and Power Company.
My dad, who was called Jimmy at work, did this for over 40 years. I believe he only missed two days of work due to an operation. When he retired, he started working with my brother and me at Tidewater Landscape for the next 20 years. I do not think he ever missed a day. And even if he did, Eddie and I knew who the boss was.
My dad became very ill in 2017. I was living with my parents so I could help mom with the care of my dad. Often I would look in their room around 5:30 a.m. If the sheets were moving, I knew dad was OK.
One morning, I could see my dad was struggling to get out of bed. I took him by the arm and started to pull him out of bed. Suddenly, my dad snatched his arm from my hand and looked me straight in the eye and said, “Son, I am still a man.” I stepped back into the darkness and began to cry.
My dad passed away a few months later on July 3, 2018, at the age of 86. There are so many things that only a father can teach his son or daughter, just as there are things only a mother can teach her children. I believe that is why God designed the family unit as a man and a woman.
Here are a few values and core beliefs that a man can teach his children. My dad taught them and lived them every day of his life:• Love God with all your heart, body and mind.• You are never off the clock when it comes being a father.• Don’t just tell people you love them. Show them.• You cannot live this life by yourself. You will need family and friends.• An education gives you opportunities.
What values and core beliefs do you speak about, but you don’t actually embody? Be willing to be honest with yourself and start walking the talk.
Live inspired,
Jimmy
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