Sunday is Father's Day. A day set aside to honor fathers and their paternal bond. In most countries Father's Day is celebrated every year on the third Sunday in June.
I have been blessed to have a Father who has always been there for me. He has stood beside me, lifted me up and comforted me when I could not see the shore for the storms raging in my life.
In my first book, 'Photographs of the Heart,' I wrote a story entitled An Old Shoe. I wanted to share the story with you and a poem I wrote to my Father last year to celebrate Father's Day.
Photographs of the Heart, Memories Captured in Time
©2011 by Peggy Lutz-McDaniel. All rights reserved.
An Old Shoe
Curious question, do they give Oscar’s
for patience? If not, they should. “And the winner is My Father”. Patience,
forgiveness and understanding, three traits my Father has in bucket
loads. I believe my Father’s motto,
should he live by one, would be, “Don’t
rock the boat, don’t make waves, everything will work out.”
Personally,
I never met Job, but there is no doubt in my mind my Father is a direct
descendant. How else could anyone have so much patience? My Dad is a gentle,
caring soul who has always been there in times of kid and adult disasters to
calm the storms and keep our family at an even keel. Numerous times in my life,
I would have been only too happy to have the tolerance of that man. Lord only
knows his patience trait did not find its way into my genes.
Patience
is a virtue no man has. How many times in my life have I made this statement only too quickly to regret that I let it flop out of my mouth? What
I should have said was, "patience is a virtue my Father has." It oozes from
him like mayonnaise out of a banana sandwich.
I
once heard my Father referred to as an old shoe. Immediately, I took offence at
this comment, believing my Father had been insulted. After deep
consideration, I came to the conclusion this reference was not an
insult. Instead it was a great
complement.
Think
about it. An old shoe patiently waits for you, is comfortable to be around,
won’t turn its back on you, and is there when you need it. That’s my Father,
an old shoe, and I love him dearly. Because of him, I am the person I
have become today. Thanks Dad, you did
well with me and I know it was a hard job.
A Prayer for Father’s Day
My Father is a special man
When I was young he held my hand
As I grew older day by day
He guided me along my way
Dear God, I ask you on this day
As I kneel down, oh Lord I pray
Bless the Fathers in our land
Guide them by your loving hand
When trouble comes along their way
And they can’t see the light of day
Show them the path they must follow
Through rivers deep or caverns
hollow
As I kneel on bended knee
This prayer I pray, oh Lord to Thee
Bless my Father, Lord I pray
Keep him safe by night and day
Guide him with thy loving hand
Show him the way you have planned
Shelter him within your care
Take away his troubled fear
Ease the pain he feels today
This is my prayer, oh Lord I pray
On this special Father’s Day
Amen
Author: Peggy Lutz-McDaniel
June 19, 2011
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