Father's Day

I decided since the only person that reads my blog is probably my father, that I would honor him on his day. I made a webpage for my mother many moons ago, before blogging was a "thing." So, I suppose it is high time I do the same for him. 

My dad, Bobby, was born in Rusk, Texas on August 15, 1936. His mother was Lavern, and his father was Harry Ott.  He had 3 siblings, Elizabeth, Harry (Uncle BoBo), and Paul. He lived in Texas for most of his youth. He joined the Air Force where he learned to be a surgical assistant. He used that training in the rest of his life to provide for his family. He also trained to be a a clinical perfusionist, someone who runs that Cardiopulmonary Bypass machine, in the 1960's. He married my mother in January 1959. He became a father in November 1959 when I was born and my brother was born in May 1962. He and my mother divorced, she died later, and he married his present wife in 1989. 

"Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers."    Proverbs 17:6

My father was very important to me growing up but isn't that usually the case with fathers and daughters. He took me fishing when I was little, he taught me to fight, and play ball. He took us on spur of the moment weekend trips. He danced with me, barbequed, cranked ice cream makers, and watched TV with us. But that doesn't mean everything was perfect. Nothing in life is perfect except God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. 

I am not going to explain all the issues my family and I had when we were together, I didn't start writing this to do that. I do not want to malign my father, my mother, or my stepmother. All those things have passed by the side, and I try to keep them out of my mind. No one's life is all fun and games, and even if it was a bed or roses, roses have thorns!

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”   Ephesians 6:1-3

 I am not going to say that I was a perfect child either, there were many times that I didn't follow what my father and mother told me to do. I will say I tried not to be bad. I just couldn't do it. I got my share of spankings, talking to, and yelling at. I try to honor my mother and father as God wants me too. I am not sure I do it, I am sure I fall short in that regard, but I try. 

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4

The word, "fathers," should read as parents in my mind, even though the head of the household should be the father, there are many houses where that is not the case today.  Parents are supposed to be the guide of their children in how to live a life pleasing to God. At least that is how I see it. My parents let me go to church, I went mostly by myself. They allowed me to attend a Christian college. There were times my mother called me out for being "self-righteous" (she was right). I am sure there were many times my father felt that way also but didn't say it. They taught me many things that I see in my life today. I am thankful for their teaching.

After my daughter was born my dad and stepmother have been here for me. I was never married. I raised her on my own, I have tried the parent I should be. They helped me as much as they could. There are bumps in the road of life that make us veer from our friends and family, but God always seems to bring us back to them if we let Him. I pray that my family can be closer in the future and that it isn't a strain for us to be together. 

Dad, I love you and I am glad God gave me to you! Have a happy Father's Day! 

To all the fathers out that Happy Father's Day! May God Bless you! And as always thanks for reading.