My dad was born in 1895 and would be 129 years old today. A veteran of World War I, he was drafted into the army at age 22. His early childhood was spent in Mountain Home, Arkansas, but the family wound up settling in east Texas in the early 1900s. He was a farmer most of his life. Daddy was 35 years old when he married my mom and he and she raised nine kids together. I was four years old when we moved about 500 miles to West Texas where I grew up.
Daddy wasn’t an easy man to relate to…one of few words I guess you could say… but he ruled the home with an iron hand and a voice that demanded respect and prompt obedience. Not one to play with us kids, but he provided the best living possible for all of us at the time. We grew up knowing to appreciate what we had, and if you wanted better you had to work for it. Four of us kids were still at home and in school when he was 62 and we moved into town. Daddy sold cars for a living then, and ran a few local gas stations before retiring for good.
Daddy wasn’t a church goer, but I often noticed him reading the Bible. I knew little to nothing about God, or His book, only what I had heard on TV, from my mom, and people talking in general. I remember one time we were all talking, and someone mentioned Saint Peter. My younger brother asked who Saint Peter was, and thinking I knew, I told him, “He’s the one that stands at the gates of Hell and lets people in.”
Mama corrected me, and Daddy looked shocked. “You better read your Bible, Girl,” he said.
I told him, “well, people are always telling somebody to go to Hell, so I just assumed. .. Nobody ever says go to Heaven.”
Unfortunately, lots of people grow up this way…knowing there’s a God, or hearing about Him in general conversation. Nobody takes the time to explain exactly Who God is, and that He loved us so much, He sent His Son to die for our sins.
I took my Daddy’s advice and tried to read the Bible, but it made no sense to me…until years later, when I heard about Jesus and realized I needed Him in my life. Although I didn’t have a close relationship with my Dad, I can now appreciate him and how hard he worked to give us the best life possible. He was raised going to church, as far as I know, and was baptized when he was younger. He taught us to be honest, hard working, and always pay back what you owe, whether it’s money or a good deed.
As Dads and moms too, the best thing we can do for our kids is to make sure they know exactly who God is and how to get to heaven…by knowing and trusting in His Son, Jesus Christ. I thank my Dad today for all he did and for the best advice ever…Read your Bible.
Happy Father’s Day!
