Tonight I’ll be sharing my story with some of our college students. As most of you are probably aware, my story has been indelibly shaped by the deaths of my parents. I’m finally at a place where I can honor God in the telling of my story. Naturally, in light of tonight, I’ve been thinking about my father this afternoon. I’ve often said my Dad is the only hero I’ve ever had. Growing up, there was no one I emulated more than my father. I still remember the way he laughed at a joke, the way he spit out his toothpaste, the way he sat while watching TV…all these things I absorbed…I wanted to do these things the way he did them. If he thought something was funny, so did I. If something upset him, then it upset me, too. He seemed to me an otherworldly figure; there was nothing he didn’t know, nothing he couldn’t do. He was my Dad. He was my hero.
These days, I have a son of my own. And at times, I look at him and I think, “Son, I really wish you had an adult for a father.” I remember being a senior in high school and thinking to myself, “I’m not big enough to be a senior.” When I was in junior high, the seniors were these huge, mammoth guys with stubble. As a senior, I weighed 140 lbs soaking wet. Not quite the giant I expected to be. I sometimes feel the same way as a parent. I catch myself thinking, “I’m not big enough to be a parent.” I compare myself to my father and I don’t think I resemble him at all. There’s very little I know, very little I can do.
But when my Joshua looks at me, I recognize his expression. It’s the look of one enamored. I’m his Dad; I’m his hero. And I realize the depth of his love for me and I’m humbled. My dear son, how could you teach me so much?
Lord, may my son see more of You and less of me. May I be the kind of man you want, the kind of hero he needs. Grant us your grace, dear Father….
already & not yet 
I just read this–had I known earlier, I would have been there last night.Since you’re on the inside looking out, you’re the last person who will ever notice your resemblance to your father. As the years progress, you’ll take on more of his ways and characteristics. Whenever I visit friends and relatives in Virginia, sometimes I catch them staring at me.”What is it?” I ask. “Is there a piece of food on my lip?””No,” they say, “it’s just that you’re looking more and more like you’re father.”Well, I suppose there are worse fates than that. I just hope I can always emulate his generous and loving spirit.
My dad is definitely my hero. I never knew your dad, but I practically feel like I know him based upon all the wonderful things you have said about him throughout the time I’ve known you.
Thanks, guys. I’ll always be thankful for the influence of my father on my life. Other than Jesus, he’s the person I’ve always wanted to be the most. I had a unique experience Sunday evening. We worshipped at Maple Hill Church of Christ (the congregation where my sister attends and where Lane’s father is an elder)…we were there for my niece’s baptism. Afterward, I had the chance to visit with many of the good people that make up that church. One lady, a good friend of my sister’s, told me that I looked very much like my mother. I used to get that a lot when I was a teenager and there were fewer things that bothered me than hearing that. I guess no guy wants to “look like” his mom. But I appreciated her comment so much…not because I think it’s true (I don’t), but because she actually knew my mother and could verbalize that remembrance. I’m rarely around people who even knew my mother…even fewer who knew my father. I can’t quite explain why, but her comment made me feel really good. I hope I continue to model some of the better qualities of my parents.
“I hope I continue to model some of the better qualities of my parents.”I think you do.
I love your story…and I myself am scared to death to be a dad ESPECIALLY since I have no idea what one is supposed to look like. But I definataly know what a man is supposed to be like when I think of YOUR life…Thank you brother!
Jason, It is a wonderful memory you hold in regard to your parents. I can relate to how you cherish the memories of what they meant to you. I never knew my Dad since i was only 1 year old when he died. There were no pictures of him for me to even see how he looked. I have wondered all these years if there may have been any resemblence to me. Any way he was not there to be my role model so you have been blessed by your dad being your special hero. Always hold on to those memories and I know you will be the type Dad to your children that God wants you to be.
Boy, you made me cry! A good cry. Thank you for sharing this.
Thank you again for your encouragement. WJ, I’m sorry about the circumstances re: your father. If your son is any indication, I know you are a tremendous father. My prayer for the past few years has been that God would allow me to be “father” to someone, since I no longer have someone to call me “son”. He honored that request in a very special way…with TWINS!I appreciate all your kind words, guys. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog.