“One Little Hour”

For Father’s Day this year I thought I’d list several things I learned from my Dad:

1. All truth is God’s truth. My dad is an analytical chemist. He firmly believes that you can rejoice in God by studying molecules, thermodynamics, and chemical reactions. In some Christian circles families place pressure on their young people to go into the formal ministry. I never received anything but encouragement from my dad as I pursued becoming a historian. He understood that God is most magnified when we choose the vocation where we can best exercise our God-given abilities for His honor and glory.

2. My Dad lived out his desire for service. Just because he was a chemist he felt no less an obligation to live out the Great Commission. My parents have led missions teams and participated in camp ministries for 28 of the last 29 summers in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Michigan, and Australia. He made a point of always ministering as a family so that family and ministry stayed in the same sphere.

3. My Dad taught me that monetary gain ought to be a low priority. He left a highpaying job in industry for a lowpaying job at a Christian university because he believed that the Lord wanted him to educate Christian young people for service. Both my parents chose to save during the year to spend money on summer ministries rather than working during the summer to save for luxuries.

4. My Dad knows that the best way to make others laugh and feel at ease is to make fun of yourself. He has a well-developed sense of self-deprecating humor. His baldness and ample stomach have broken the ice in many conversations. He is also a bit impish; he enjoys challenging preconceived notions and upsetting shibboleths. He taught me not to take myself too seriously. God finds us pretty funny at times…the least we can do is be willing to laugh at ourselves!

5. Most importantly, my Dad taught me the importance of depending on God. I would frequently go downstairs on the way to school to find my father reading the Word or praying. How can I not be thankful for an earthly father who was aware of his need for a heavenly Father? Is that not the greatest gift a son could ask for from his dad?

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.