Traveling the Rock Road

Father’s Day is the one holiday I’ve never celebrated since I grew up without a dad, that is until I became a father myself. The man who did his part to bring me into the world chose not to be a part of mine or my mother’s life; I was what some would call, an accident. Occasionally that would bring me to bitterness, and particularly on Father’s Day. It was good to see all my friends celebrating with their dads, but it generally brought out in me the question, what would it have been like to have mine around. Later in life as I slowly learned of this mystery man and his ways, I was thankful our paths never crossed. I’m not saying he was a terrible individual, but our differences, ideologies, attitudes and beliefs were broadly apart. So, I came to conclude it was the best for me that he headed down the road. Ya did good, Howie. Still, there was the nagging question in me, is there anything in me I can attribute to good old dad? I’ve heard many say they got their looks, ways and skills from their father. I had nothing I could point to, not even a picture when he was young to see if there were any similarities in our features. I concluded there was nothing I got from the old man, except being left alone. But somewhere along way, God put a different view in my heart and mind.

If it hadn’t been for this man I would have never come into the world. I would have never known the ones that surrounded me with a love that made me feel special and never alone. I would have never met and married the most incredible gal God could have put in my life. I would have never spent all the years working with kids who got into trouble, many of them without dads also. I would have missed out on youth programs that I worked and even headed up. And mostly, I would have never known the joy of having my own children and grandchildren. There’s also others that refer to me as dad or grandpa. When I think of all the joy I could have never experienced, how could I not feel blessed that God chose this man to be my father. By the grace of my Heavenly Father I have gained more than I could ever thank him for.

Rick Warren said it like this; “Your birth was no mistake or mishap, and your life is no fluke of nature. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He was not at all surprised by your birth. In fact, he expected it. Long before you were conceived by your parents, you were conceived in the mind of God. It is not fate, nor chance, nor luck, nor coincidence that you are breathing at this very moment. You are alive because God wanted to create you!”

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart”

To all who may relate to the way my life started, remember. You have a Heavenly Father who is very proud of you!

And to all you earthly dads. A Very Blessed and Happy Father’s Day!

Oh yeah, and Howie, as I’ve said in the past, whether you know it or not, ya did good. Happy Father’s Day!!

See ya next time.