my daddy and the Father.

My Daddy's birthday is tomorrow and my way with words comes from him, so for his birthday, I'm writing him this blog post (oh, and he gets a gift from Monkey, too, but that comes later!). :) I've spent a lot of time this year reflecting on fatherhood. I can't count how many times I've heard someone say that our fathers are the face of God to their children. In my life, I haven't had a hard time loving God the Father because my own father has been such an incredible witness to the Father's love for me. There may have been a thing or two my dad missed growing up, but I certainly don't remember it. There were times he worked crazy long hours, but I don't ever remember missing him because when he was home, he gave his love freely to me and to my brother. He helped teach me how to drive, how to change a tire, and how to check my oil. He taught me how to use tools so well that by the time I went to college, I had more tools than most guys I knew - and I knew how to use them all. My dad shared his knowledge and his wisdom with me. He was always there with a warm hug after a bad day or a broken heart. He's held me as I've cried for every reason under the sun. He's cheered louder for me than anyone else at every awards ceremony and graduation I've ever had. Even now, I can close my eyes and still hear his hoops and hollars for me as I graduated - high school and college. He's helped me move every single time I've moved - which has been a lot. He's even flying up to Boise next week to help pack and drive back to Denver. He walked me down the aisle and gave me to Anthony. He's held my girls and loved on them so deeply, so intensely, so perfectly. He's there. He's always there, willing to serve, to lend a helping hand, to me, and to countless others. He cares more about relationships and honesty than making a quick buck off of someone. He's happier helping friends with whatever - computers to housework - because he knows the value of relationships and of sharing our gifts with others. I've never known him to be selfish, he's constantly giving and never counting the cost. He's a hard-worker, committed to seeing projects and tasks through to the end. He's a dreamer, too. If you've ever seen his Christmas lights displays, you'll see his dreams in real life. He's imaginative and deep, creative and passionate. He loves my mom the most (well, he loves her the most...after God :) ). He's loyal and caring and completely devoted to her. Though he is caring with all, his bond with us - my mom, my brother and his wife, and me and Anthony, and his granddaughters - is unlike any other. I've never once questioned how much he loves us, how willing he is to go the extra mile for us. My dad is so many good things, too many good things to describe, really. Sure, he's got flaws, but they are far outweighed by his goodness. I know the Father's love because of my father. It is because of his goodness that I know His goodness. If God the Father is my dad on a grander level, well, then God has to be infinitely loving because my dad's love knows no bounds. So thanks, Dad, for being exactly the Dad I've always needed, always wanted, always loved. Thanks for showing me just how much God loves me by being exactly who He made you to be. p.s. Dad (and Mom): Sorry (kind of) for making you cry. Don't worry, I cried plenty while writing this.