HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to all the Dad's in our Live from the Inside Out™ community!
On Father's Day, as I think my Dad, I have thought about the many life lessons he has taught me. I shared a number of those lessons with him as a thank you. I thought I would share some of them with you too in case what my Dad has taught me may bless you too. Here are:
10 life lessons I’ve learned from my Dad
1. God is always there for you.
My Dad's faith has carried him through his life, from losing his Dad at the age of 7 through many other life trials. He has always leaned into God and trusted all would be well, in time. He would tell me the same but it was hard to believe until I started to lean into God and trust him myself. God is always there for us, we need to lean in and trust in Him, and His timing.
2. Take care of your loved ones.
I grew up with my Nane, my Dad's Mom, living with us. Taking care of your loved ones wasn't just something my Dad talked about, I saw he truly believed it when he lived it out by having his Mom live with us, and later in life had my other Grandparents move in with him and my Mom. Being willing to care for our loved ones is a gift, not only for those who are being cared for, but for our hearts as well.
3. It's who you are and what you do with what you have that matters.
My Dad wasn't raised with much but that never stopped him from going after what he wanted, from a strong family to a successful career. He used his God-given gifts and showed me that it's not our circumstances that define us but our choice of attitude and character that will determine our direction in life. May we remember we are children of God, let's tap into the gifts He's given us and use them wisely.
4. Never say you can't.
My Dad loved to read and listen to inspirational authors and speakers. One time he had me listen to one speaker who talked about how the word 'can't' inhibits us from succeeding in life, and how our mindset matters. After listening to that with my Dad, he said I wasn't allowed to say the word "can't." I find myself saying the same thing to my kids these days, which I am sure drives them nuts like I felt when my Dad told me that. But now on the other side, I trust some day my kids will appreciate this lesson like I do. May we trust we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
5. Hard work and perseverance pay off.
My Dad has a strong work ethic. From a young age he knew things weren't going to be just handed to him and that he was going to have to work and persevere to get what he wanted and where he wanted to go in life. A recent example of this is how he woke up one morning in retirement having had a dream. He wrote down all the details from the dream and then realized it was a book. He has now published two books and is working on his third. If you like historical fiction books, check out his books HERE. May we also be willing to work hard and persevere when God puts something on our hearts.
6. Family meetings and to-do lists are beneficial.
I grew up with my Dad insisting I have a steno pad and that I write down my to-do list for the day to help organize my mind. He and my mom also held family meetings. As a kid both of these tasks seemed like unnecessary things to do. Yet now as an adult, I continue to write down my to-do list daily and we have weekly family meetings in now thanks to my Dad's example. May we recognize some things we are taught by our parents, or God, may not make sense that day, but may in time.
7. Build others up.
Whether it was playing basketball, going for my degrees in school, writing or speaking, my Dad has always encouraged me. He's never told me I couldn't do something I was passionate about and has been one of my top cheerleaders in life, along with my Mom. His encouragement has made me want to do the same for my loved ones, and others. May we also be willing to use our words to build others up into who God made them to be.
8. Be willing to speak hard truths when needed.
My Dad was that person who would tell me the things I didn't want to hear, but needed to. He set firm boundaries yet I see now how the hard truth he spoke was the refiners fire and helped me become who I am. All he said was out of love, and to draw out the potential he saw in me. May we be willing to speak hard truths to others as well.
9. Show up for others.
My Dad had just arrived in Alabama to visit his sister when I called and shared with him and my mom my diagnosis. Without hesitation, he and my Mom turned the car right around and came to be by our side. May we see the difference between where we want to be and where we need to be and be willing to show up where we need to be.
10. Serve others.
Many times in life I have watched my Dad serve others for no reason other than it was what he believed he was supposed to do. From helping a gentleman at church who had special needs to serving food at a local homeless shelter, I have watched my Dad treat people with dignity and respect no matter their circumstances. May he inspire us all to do the same and serve others with joyful hearts, expecting nothing in return.
*Bonus* A good hug lasts long after you've let go.
My Dad gives the best hugs and I get my love of hugging from him. I realized when my parents moved out of town how much I appreciate his company, and hugs. I may not get his hugs as often as I use to but I always treasure them when I do, and know his love will always be with me, no matter how close or far apart we are. May we treasure the gift of time with our loved ones and let the love they give be captured in our hearts, and souls.
Thank you to my Dad, Stephen, my father-in-law, and all the Dads out there who are loving your families well and for the wise lessons you are passing along to your children. May God bless you and your role as a Dad!
With gratitude and respect,
Shawn
Start children off on the way they should go,
and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
- Proverbs 22:6