It’s Father’s Day tomorrow, and I thought it would be fitting to write up a post about my wonderful dad. I’m so blessed to have a great relationship with him (& my momma), and so much of how I carry myself and how I know who I am, I owe to him. He has raised me up in the way that I should go (Proverbs 22:6); he has provided me with security and love, and he has always spoken my love language–words of affirmation.
My father has instilled a healthy self-esteem in me. He’s always told me that I’m beautiful, intelligent, and priceless to him and my mom, but he has continued to remind me that my worth and value ultimately rests in Christ, in whose image I have been formed. Because of all of this, I have always had self-confidence; I have rarely felt consistently insecure; my identity is placed in my Creator, and I know who I am.
I am blessed to be unable to relate to so many of my peers, and even those a few years older than me, who still don’t truly know who they are and what their purpose is. That’s not a put down at all, if you’re still figuring things out, that’s okay! I’ve just been very fortunate that I learned so many important values literally since when I was in the womb :’)
Today, I want to share some of the things my father has constantly told me over the course of my 19 years on this earth. I always need to be reminded of them, and I’m so glad he’s never stopped reminding me, my siblings, my friends, or others of these valuable truths.
These are the messages that have given me such blessings…
1. Every heartbeat is a yes!
2. All you can control is your attitude and your effort.
3. Life is about loving God and loving others & being loved by God and by others.
4. Love is defined by doing what’s best for another person, even if you don’t feel like it. Love is overwhelmingly a choice, not a feeling.
5. The purpose of life is to know God and serve Him.
6. A grateful person is a happy person.
7. Wisdom is greater and more valuable than knowledge, so seek it.
8. Think ahead always!!
9. Don’t make excuses; own up to your mistakes right away.
10. Always employ precision of language.
11. You are not your career. When you are asked who you are or what you are, do not settle for “I am a teacher/lawyer/doctor/etc.” That is simply what you do. It is not who you are.
This is only a little snippet of all the things my father has taught me as I’ve grown up. I am so so so so grateful for him. He is my hero, and I tell him this as much as possible because life is too short. Happy Father’s Day Dad!!! I love you <3