Ode to Dad
So, I honestly have the best Dad ever and I wanted to write in honor of him on this father's day. When I was a senior in high school, my last ap english writing assignment was to get a parent to write a letter of advice to us as we graduated from high school. It was my favorite assignment all year, cause i didn't have to write anything, (which is why I don't update this blog all that often, I really don't enjoy writing, I'm more of an express yourself in imagery, and i once had a friend tell me i was like a stream of consciousness when i wrote, but I don't really see it...) just kidding.
My Dad had the honor of writing me this letter, and I've loved it so much that I framed it and it sits on my computer desk. So I wanted to share it with you -
April 11, 1998
Dear Susan,
What a privilege to write a letter of advice to you! I wish that I had a letter like this when i was looking life square in the face and preparing for my future. One reason I'm writing this letter is because of the assignment your teacher gave, but the real reason is that I love you and hope that you will listen to what experience has taught me.
My first word of advice for you is to base your life on something greater than human knowledge, that is, faith in God. Without sounding like a preacher giving a sermon, I would advise you to read in your Bible 2 Peter 1:3-10. That is the best written advice I've found on life. Of course, there are other scriptural passages that are wonderful, but this one seems to stand out.
The second word of advice I'd give to you is to have a dream that is inspired by God and to strive to reach that dream. God did not put us on earth to merely exist, but to follow Him. The happiest people I know are always pursuing the dream God has put before them. They systematically set goals that reach that dream and are checking them off, one by one, until they have reached their lifelong dream. The unhappiest people I know sit around doing nothing without a cause or dream to pursue. A word of caution. Make sure your dream comes from your walk with God, not from your own mind. If we pursue selfish dreams, we become selfish.
The last word of advice I would give to you is be as efficient as you can. Scripture tells us, "...in whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord." This advise extends to our thriftiness in monetary things, our wise use of time, our productivity in work and our relationships with people. "Whatever we do" means everything in our life.
I don't know if anyone else will read this Susan, but I want you to know that I love you. I know that the rest of your life will be challenging and rewarding and hope that this short letter, and the word contained within, will help make your future positive and wonderful.
I Love You Deeply, Dad
So ten years later, I've followed some of this advice better than other parts, but I always need to hear it. The funny part is that about a year ago I showed it to him and he didn't even remember writing it. He was like "wow, i sounded like i knew what i was talking about." I found it funny, that he didn't remember it, but that it had meant so much to me. I think the reason it has meant so much to me is that I know that he really means it, because he and my mom live this advice. If i hadn't seen it all my life, it wouldn't have made as much sense as it does now. So thanks Dad, for being so good to me, and always showing me God's love. And for marrying Mom, that was a good decision.
He once let me put a wig on him and cut it for my ugly betty halloween costume.
and becky and i got this for him for Father's Day today:
love ya dad!
(i hope this makes up for the fact that i didn't send you a card!)
(2 Peter 1:3-10 Making One's Calling and Election Sure: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall)
My Dad had the honor of writing me this letter, and I've loved it so much that I framed it and it sits on my computer desk. So I wanted to share it with you -
April 11, 1998
Dear Susan,
What a privilege to write a letter of advice to you! I wish that I had a letter like this when i was looking life square in the face and preparing for my future. One reason I'm writing this letter is because of the assignment your teacher gave, but the real reason is that I love you and hope that you will listen to what experience has taught me.
My first word of advice for you is to base your life on something greater than human knowledge, that is, faith in God. Without sounding like a preacher giving a sermon, I would advise you to read in your Bible 2 Peter 1:3-10. That is the best written advice I've found on life. Of course, there are other scriptural passages that are wonderful, but this one seems to stand out.
The second word of advice I'd give to you is to have a dream that is inspired by God and to strive to reach that dream. God did not put us on earth to merely exist, but to follow Him. The happiest people I know are always pursuing the dream God has put before them. They systematically set goals that reach that dream and are checking them off, one by one, until they have reached their lifelong dream. The unhappiest people I know sit around doing nothing without a cause or dream to pursue. A word of caution. Make sure your dream comes from your walk with God, not from your own mind. If we pursue selfish dreams, we become selfish.
The last word of advice I would give to you is be as efficient as you can. Scripture tells us, "...in whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord." This advise extends to our thriftiness in monetary things, our wise use of time, our productivity in work and our relationships with people. "Whatever we do" means everything in our life.
I don't know if anyone else will read this Susan, but I want you to know that I love you. I know that the rest of your life will be challenging and rewarding and hope that this short letter, and the word contained within, will help make your future positive and wonderful.
I Love You Deeply, Dad
So ten years later, I've followed some of this advice better than other parts, but I always need to hear it. The funny part is that about a year ago I showed it to him and he didn't even remember writing it. He was like "wow, i sounded like i knew what i was talking about." I found it funny, that he didn't remember it, but that it had meant so much to me. I think the reason it has meant so much to me is that I know that he really means it, because he and my mom live this advice. If i hadn't seen it all my life, it wouldn't have made as much sense as it does now. So thanks Dad, for being so good to me, and always showing me God's love. And for marrying Mom, that was a good decision.
He once let me put a wig on him and cut it for my ugly betty halloween costume.
and becky and i got this for him for Father's Day today:
love ya dad!
(i hope this makes up for the fact that i didn't send you a card!)
(2 Peter 1:3-10 Making One's Calling and Election Sure: 3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall)
