Jun 15, 2008
22 reasons I'm thankful for and to my dad.
1. He loves Jesus.
2. He loves my mom.
3. He loves my wife and kids.
4. He doesn’t make me feel like his will for my life is the same as God’s.
5. He’s serious.
6. He’s also fun-loving, although it’s not an adjective he’d ever self-apply.
7. He lends expecting nothing back.
8. He works hard.
9. He’s never made me feel like he’s too busy when I’ve knocked on his door.
10. He doesn’t care about making a lot of money.
11. He employs me.
12. He taught Orison to swing a bat.
13. He never kicked me out of his house, even if I was making it stink like an ashtray.
14. He agreed to adopt a baby when he thought he was almost rid of us all.
15. He clapped and shouted the loudest at our soccer games.
16. He’s part of an amazingly graced lineage of believers (not that he had anything to do with it).
17. He made a habit of taking his sons to lunch and kept it up no matter how intolerable I was (am?) to be around.
18. He’s happy to continue losing to my mom in Scrabble.
19. He prays for us every day.
20. He played with us every day growing up.
21. He was invaluably helpful when we lost Felicity.
22. He makes Orison want to be a preacher.
thank you, Abraham, for this post…truth is I sought out ‘things John Piper’ to learn of this man that God is using to disciple me what his books might not expressly reveal. One significant avenue was his children. If the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree (even after the ashtray breath is a faded memory) then I look for what is real…what remains. Your comments truly are a glorification of the Almighty. May my boys & daughter have sufficient evidence to convict me of being a godly loving dad.
Abraham- I am glad God gave you such a great dad. I love the 4 generation picture.
What a blessing! Thanks for sharing this. It speaks volumes.
z
those are good reasons indeed….makes me ponder the reasons I am thankful for my own dad….
You know your dad much better than I could presume to, but do you really think the father of Christian hedonism would disagree to:
“6. He’s also fun-loving, although it’s not an adjective he’d ever self-apply”
He is a spiritual father to so many! God bless him indeed, and God bless you too!
Maybe the hardest thing about father’s day is that I can say almost all of those things about my dad except #1.
That picture of O makes me think of when I first met him in the nursery and all he could do was roll until he ran into something. I never realized how big he has become!
Happy Father’s Day, Abraham!
I am glad that you violated the 22 word rule.
“I am glad that you violated the 22 word rule.”
Well … depeding upon how you define ‘word.’
Here’s 3-8 at dictionary.com
3. a short talk or conversation: Marston, I’d like a word with you.
4. an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
5. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I’ll be there.
6. news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
7. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign.
8. an authoritative utterance, or command: His word was law.
But seriously, I loved your father’s words to fathers this morning, Abraham.
You are blessed, and so is he.
Myrddin,
That is my reasoning regarding “word” exactly.
When I do a list, “word” takes on the meaning of a “word of advice” or “word of thanks.”
I didn’t get to hear my dad’s sermon because I’m in CA, but I’m eager to listen when it’s posted.
Your dad’s one of the people who’ve influenced me most, even though I disagree with him often. A godly and gracious man.
I love #7 and Desiring God’s obscene ways of practically giving away resources (from pdf books to $5 sales).
I love the top picture! So precious!
You are blessed to have him as a father. To be honest, your father’s words transformed my way of thinking in ways that no other person has ever done. His preaching and passion for Christ brought me to a breaking point as a wandering, almost hopeless girl who had fallen away from Christ almost completely.
Never take him for granted. What a legacy. May you continue to be thankful for him and enjoy him all your days.
speaks loud about pastor john piper’s character and lifestyle.
Your father has challenged me and encouraged through his ability to communicate a message until I h e a r it. He drives me to think more deeply than I often want to….
But one thing that impressed me (and imho lends credibility to his ministry) IS it’s obvious he’s not in it to cash in. That he GIVES his books away when he could make zillions?
What an example….
13. He never kicked me out of his house, even if I was making it stink like an ashtray.
Have you ever written of these years, Abraham? I would be interested in your testimony.
(I’m only a recent reader.)
The closest I’ve come to writing my testimony is an article I wrote for Decision magazine. It starts with a few paragraphs of my story.
Thanks for reading!
Yes, I had forgotten that I had read that when it came out. Jesus has worked mightily in your life. I cannot imagine what a heart break those years must have been for both you and your parents.
Thank you for writing…
re: number 22: Awesome. To be fair though, your dad makes everyone want to be a preacher (at least everyone I know)