I still remember the day my dad told me to hold the spark plug wires on the lawn mower. We were working on it, trying to get it running so I could finish cutting the grass. He told me to hold the wire while he tried to crank it. He knew what would happen. It shocked me! I thought I’d been hit by lightening. I jumped. He hit the ground laughing. I still haven’t forgiven him for that one.
But I learned that day to never hold the spark plug wire when you try to crank a lawn mower. Fortunately, I didn’t have to learn every lesson from my dad the hard way! On this Father’s Day, I thought I’d share 10 things my dad has taught me over the years. I have a GREAT dad. I’m truly blessed. And I could probably list 100 things or more I’ve learned from this incredible man through the years. But here’s 10 in no particular order…
Ten Things I’ve Learned from My Dad:
1. Fish often.
In other words, create margin to spend time together with those you love doing something that’s really not all that important but is fun & creates lasting memories. Dad & I love to fish. We don’t always catch much, but that’s really not the point. There’s nothing I enjoy more than being out on the lake with dad.
2. God comes first.
Then family. Then church. Then work. Don’t get those four things out of order. If dad has taught me anything over the years, it’s this.
3. Always date your wife.
It makes you a great husband & an even better dad. To this day mom & dad still go out almost every week. I love that about them. Nothing means more to your kids than when you know that you know that you know your parents really love each other.
4. Say the words “I love you” & “I’m proud of you” often.
Your kids can’t hear those words enough. I’m 38 & I still regularly hear these words from my dad. They carry a lot of weight with me. If I didn’t hear those words from him, or didn’t hear them often, I would notice that too. So I try to tell my kids as often as I can the same things. That I love them & that I’m very proud of them. And that’s not based on what they’ve done, it’s based on who they are & who they belong to.
5. There’s not much duck tape & caulk can’t fix.
It’s kind of our running joke. My dad can fix anything & we’ve worked on countless projects together. I’m the guy that hands him the screwdriver, the hammer, etc. Then I get to watch him work! But whenever we come across something that needs fixing, a little duck tape & caulk can go a long way to solving almost any problem!
6. There’s more than one way to skin a cat.
My dad has a thousand sayings like this, but I’ve always loved this one. There’s almost always more than one way to solve a problem. Sometimes you have to put on your MacGyver hat & get creative. And sometimes your first idea doesn’t work out. But if you keep at it you can find a way. And learning that creative persistence has blessed my life in so many ways. Note: I have no desire to actually skin a cat.
7. Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.
I’ve never looked a horse in the mouth for any reason. But my dad grew up around horses. I’m pretty sure he walked uphill both ways in the snow barefoot to school. I think what this means is that if someone does something nice for you or says something nice to you, just say thank you & receive it graciously.
8. Always ask the question, “How can I help?” And then help.
My dad is notorious for going out of his way to help others. I’m not sure we’ve been in Home Depot together before without him helping some random person out. You would think he worked there. He doesn’t! But that doesn’t stop him from helping someone find exactly what they need. Or helping someone know how to do a project a better way. No matter the context or the situation, he’s always eager to help others. It’s just who he is.
9. Work hard.
When you have a smile, a great attitude & a good work ethic there’s not much you can’t do. If I’ve ever learned anything from my dad it’s to always be a hard worker. I’ve often told my son when we’re in the middle of a difficult task that we aren’t afraid of hard work. That’s a trait my dad gave me that I definitely want my son to have.
10. Jesus is supreme.
Nothing else matters more than Jesus & His cross. Always keep your eyes fixed on Him & everything else will ultimately work out. When I was in high school my dad directed the chorus at our school. And we closed every time we sang at a church with the song, “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross.” I still can’t sing that song when it’s led in church because of the significance it has to me. It reminds me of my dad’s deep love for us & for Jesus. And for his core belief that Jesus really is who He says He is.
Dad, you’re the best. Thanks for loving mom. Thanks for loving us. And thanks for loving Jesus. May God bless you today & every day. You’ve been a father figure for so many. And you are a great example of what our Heavenly Father must be like. Happy Father’s Day!
– love Corey.
