Jump Start # 1886

Proverbs 17:6 “Grandchildren are the crown of old men, and the glory of sons is their fathers.”

A special note to our Jump Start readers: This Jump Start is very personal and dear to me. It is my words to my father on his 92nd birthday, which is today. Dad does not have access to my Jump Starts, so I have given this to him. I share these with you, with the hopes that you find some value in them.

Happy birthday, Dad. You are 92 years old today! What a blessing that is. I have thought a long time about what to get you for your birthday. Through the years I have found some special and unique gifts for you. I have given you books and commentary sets. You have fancy ties and happy socks from me. I arranged a few years ago to have the flag flown above the U.S. Capitol on July 6th sent to you. Last year, I got you a pen that was made from the original Constitution Elm tree when Indiana was being formed as a state back in the early 1800’s. I thought and thought about what to get you this year. You have more books than the county library. I remembered when I was a boy, that I used to draw you a homemade birthday card. I never was very good at drawing, but God has gifted me with the ability to string some words together that seems to touch many hearts. A big part of my life these past few years has been writing these Jump Starts. My gift to you this year, is a Jump Start written just for you.

I know you love me and I love you. I enjoy our phone calls when I coming home from work. We always seem to get cut off at the same spot outside of Lanesville. I want you to know how much you mean to me. As this verse states, “the glory of sons is their fathers.” This is so true for me. Your sweet manner, easy laugh and joy of life has endeared you to all of us. You are the hero of my family and especially to me. The choices you made in your life has made it so easy for me to follow the Lord and be used in His kingdom.

I am still amazed that you as a high school graduate went off to a far away world to fight in World War II. That was so courageous! I don’t know if I could have done that. Your determination to go to college, the first in your family, opened doors for all of your children. I look at what you have done, and I hope that my choices have been as helpful to my children.

Thank you for allowing me half way through college, to switch majors, change schools and chase this dream of being a preacher. It is getting close to four decades that I have been preaching. I have been to a lot of places all over this country and I have been in many homes, teaching and showing people the grand promises of God. I don’t think any of this would have been possible without your support and help. One of my fondest joys was when Jordan and I got to preach together at your home congregation last year. I have a picture of the three of us that I keep in my Bible.

You have shown us an incredible example of faith and courage. It has been twenty-two years since mom passed away. You have lived on your own all this time. This has not soured you nor made you bitter. You have remained true to God and kind in spirit and that has helped all of us through these years. I know you miss mom and I cannot imagine what it has been like for you, but I hope the love of the family has helped fill that emptiness in your heart.

I am thankful that you have gotten to see five of your grandchildren married. You even walked down the isle with Sarah, you on one side and me on the other. You have gotten to hold seven of your great grandchildren. Your legacy and spirit lives on in them. I see the love of books, the love of American history and the heart of a servant in all of your grandchildren, which I first saw in you. You taught us to work hard, be honest and to be helpful. You are strong, generous, thoughtful and noble. These principles live on in each of us.

You are now rounding third base and heading home. Your knees hurt, your memory is fading and your voice is no longer strong. We both know that our time here is limited. I am thankful that you have such incredible faith in the Lord. God has been good to you. You have walked with the Lord for a long, long time. You are blessed by Him. He has and will take care of you. Heaven will be yours. I expect you’ll see mom again. Won’t that be glorious! She’ll probably say, “Where have you been?” You have lived well. You have done well. You will always be dear to our hearts.

On this day, your birthday, my greatest gift I can give you is to say that I am so honored to be one of your sons. You have set the standard high for all of us to follow. We are blessed because of you. We are a better people because of you. You have made an incredible impact on our lives. You are and always will be our glory.

Thank you, for being my dad.

Happy birthday!

Love, Roger

P.S. I went ahead and got you another gift.