Daddy...

My Daddy is a Southern Baptist preacher.

That is the first thing to say when talking about him.

He knows God, and has lived his whole life serving the Lord, leading others to Salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross, which paid the price for all our Sin.

He taught me by example, from my earliest remembrance, how to live for Christ on a level that most people never see. It goes way beyond going to church every Sunday, or paying your tithes, or teaching or even preaching. He showed me how to give my whole life to Christ to be used for His glory, and hold nothing back, because that's what he did.

He is a follower of Christ, but a leader of men. No matter where you put him, he is running things in short order, because everyone with whom he comes in contact recognizes that that is the way things should be.

I'm convinced that there is no task to be done in this whole world that my Daddy could not accomplish, and do a good job at, should he be called upon to do it. He taught me by example that I have the same amount of fingers and toes as anyone else, and if something CAN be done, I can do it.

My Daddy loves my Mama with every particle of his being. He taught me by example that when a woman decides to share her life with you, that is a big, big deal. She is to be protected, respected, loved above all other earthly things, and if you treat her that way, you will forever have a true partner who shares your goals and priorities, and will never betray you in any way.

My Daddy loves his children. He taught me by example that a man is supposed to provide for, lead, guide, and protect his children at all times with all that he has, whether there is anything left over for him or not. I never understood what being a Daddy really was until my son was born, but now I get it.

It's the toughest job you'll ever love.

I pray every day that I will be able to raise my children the way my Daddy showed me.

He gave me a gift that I will never be able to thank him enough for.

He taught me how to be a good, hard working, stable, loving, honest, Christian, happy, grown man.

He taught me how to be Daddy.

I just hope that I will be able to live up to his example.

Happy Father's Day, Daddy!

I love you more than you know.