Unconsciously, we learn so much by observing our parents, good and bad. Since we are still in June, today I'm focusing on things I learned by watching my father.
- Anytime is good for a nap.
- Any place is good for a nap. Laying on the sofa with the TV on is prime napping real estate.
- Getting up early and contemplating life (also known as staring at your toes) while drinking your coffee starts the day well.
- Any project worth doing needs time to "age."
- Ice cream is a wonderful pre-bed time snack.
- Listening to the news is of the utmost importance.
- Tell your child often that you believe he or she will do something great.
- Affirm your child by dwelling on their strengths; for example, "You're like me, you can handle pain well." or "You are such a good speller, like a dictionary."
- Give advice to your child, such as, "Never trust a businessman who doesn't have his shoes cleaned and polished." His theory was if they didn't care enough to take the time to look their best, their work was probably shoddy. (Note how nice his shoes look in the above picture!)
- Every night before going to bed, (usually after a nap on the couch), he would say, "I'm going to my office" and he would get out his bible and read before going to sleep. If you went in his room to tell him anything, you'd see him propped up in bed reading his green hard back copy of the Living Bible.
Was he a perfect dad? No. Did he make mistakes? You betcha!
But he loved us, and did his best in later life. His gift to us was affirming the practice of regular consistent reading of the Word. Might that be the reason why today I am so passionate about bible study? Monkey see, Monkey do!
What lessons did you learn by observing your father?
This post was written in response to the Writer's Workshop prompt #3. Share a lesson you learned from your Father that still sticks with you to this day. To read more hilarious content, or link up your own post, visit Kat Bouska at Mama's Losin' It.
I'm also linking this post to the community of Christian bloggers at Grace and Truth.
Wow, what a good example of having a devotional life your Dad was! And it's funny how much is caught more then taught!
ReplyDeleteThat is a wonderful lesson to pass on! My Daddy was not a big reader. The newspaper is all I remember ever seeing him read. I suppose what he did that stuck with me the most are two things: one, he went and visited folks. In person. At their homes. I've almost been big on that, though in recent years with working full time and all my responsibilities at home, I don't do it like I used to. A short, personal visit let's folks know they are important to you, they matter. Two would be the fact that Daddy always treated everyone the same: the important business man, the harried clerk, the poor man in beat up working clothes. Everyone was equal. The only way to "fall" in value was to be a "bad" person. And even then, he stressed not to judge harshly, as we hadn't walked in their shoes.
ReplyDeleteBarbara from Life & Faith in Caneyhead
That was neat how your dad ended the day in the Word. I think my mom would have said the same thing about a businessman; I think I've heard that before from her. As you might recall, I lost my dad when I was 18 months old so I don't have anything he per se taught me.
ReplyDeletebetty
Such wonderful lessons! Can't love this post enough. Thank you for sharing his lessons with us.
ReplyDeleteWonderful example to live by! I also live by my father's example to read the scriptures daily. What would we ever do without that daily guidance!
ReplyDeleteYour dad had a great insight to polished shoes. A similar thing my daughter and I had a conversation about yesterday. "What the inside of someone's car looks like, is a good indication of what their house looks like!" That's my philosophy.
Awww this was such a wonderful tribute to all of the things you learned from your Dad and the type of man he was. Beautifully done!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet tribute to your dad! I've learned so much from my dad, too - several of which you mentioned (especially the ones about napping). Thank you for being part of our Grace & Truth community!
ReplyDelete