Happy Birthday, Dad!

My dad is a spiritual leader. He has led men’s bible study groups since before I can remember and is known as a minister at Oak Hills. But what you don’t know is that as I was growing up, every morning he got up before anyone else in the house and went into his study and shut the door and prayed for guidance and mercy. I have caught him countless times on his knees or lying prostrate on the floor, praying.

Many recognize that my dad speaks with Godly wisdom. This is evidenced by the people that constantly seek him out for counseling. My dad is who I want to talk to when I have a question or a problem. There is rarely a biblical subject that I could ask my dad about that he has not studied and cannot give me incredible insight into. He loves to study and to learn and he has imparted that wisdom upon his children and others with grace and encouragement. Working on Capitol Hill, I sometimes feel like I understand a lot about current issues. But one of the things I love to do the most is to hear my dad talk about other ways to look at a political problem. He helps me to look at a problem not as a republican or democrat, but as a Christian.

If you are reading this, my dad has probably touched you in some way. You know that he cares deeply for people. He might have prayed over you, or visited you in the hospital, or held your hand through a crisis. As his daughter, I have had the privilege of witnessing much more. My dad seems to specialize in people we call EGRs (Extra Grace Required). He spends quality time with people that I find it difficult just to hug. The smelly, obnoxious, and ungrateful people are who my dad takes extra care to love on. Not too long ago I called him and asked what he was doing and he told me that he was cutting the toenails and washing the feet of an elderly man who is known for being mean and disgusting.

My dad is a “Wild at Heart” man. His physical strength is only surpassed by his spiritual discipline. Always ready for a hike or a bike ride, he loves to enjoy God’s creation. I have had some really great adventures with him all around the world. Two of my favorites are trips that were just the two of us—to Spain and Mexico. I’ve gotten to witness my dad in his element, studying and speaking Spanish. This has been a hobby of his for years and it is so exciting to see him communicate with people. I have a sweet memory of when he introduced me to his new friend, the elderly woman with no teeth that worked in a public bathroom in San Miguel. Everyone he met there loved him, because he CARED about them. He was taking time off of work and away from his wife to study a language just so he could talk to them.

My dad is certainly not perfect, and he will be the first admit it. But my mom and my sister and I have all been loved unconditionally. Dad, muchas gracias por eso. Tu eres un hombre del Senor. Yo te amo.