We Grew Up In a Pastor's Home
April 1, 1998
What My Dad Did Right
The air split from the sound of the rattlesnake. My heart pounded, and my legs shook. "Here," Dad said, tossing me a shotgun shell. I was 10 years old, and like Barney Fife, had to carry my gun unloaded. I loaded, aimed, and squeezed the trigger. The shot severed the snake's head, and the rattling slowly faded to silence. Today that rattle sits in a cigar box with other treasures from my past. It reminds me of a great day in the field with my dad. I was a preacher's kid with many religious experiences, but the things that spiritually affected me most were the nonreligious experiences with my dad. My dad could teach spiritual principles from the most ordinary circumstances. He brought me into his world
When Dad walked out the door, I was invited. When he played golf with his preacher friends, I rode in the golf cart. Yes, he had to tell me to be quiet, to stand back, and a dozen other rules. But I learned them. I rode in the pickup with him and his buddy Red Moore when they went quail hunting. As Red lit up a Camel, I told him, in a serious voice, "Jesus doesn't like it when you smoke." Red laughed with that smoker's hack. Dad just grinned. I spent countless hours in the garage with my dad while he melted lead and made fishing sinkers, or refinished his boat, or fixed a car, or built furniture. People ask me how I acquired skills at fixing and building things. It catches me by surprise at first; it seems I was born with those abilities. But I got them from my dad. The beauty of Dad's method of bringing me into his world was that he did not have to alter his schedule, just his focus. There was never "family time" on his calendar. If he was doing something where I could be with him, I was.
Please complete one of the following:
If you're a Leadership journal subscriber...
...but have not yet registered for online access to CTLibrary.com, you can receive a full-year's access for just $29.95!
Register Here | | If you're NOT a Leadership journal print subscriber...
You're entitled to a special, introductory offer for new subscribers only! Subscribe now and receive a one-year Leadership journal print subscription and one-year access to all Leadership archives for just $39.95!
Subscribe now!
When you log in as a Leadership Journal subscriber, you'll see additional articles noted as premium content only available to CTLibrary.com members. To access the entire CTLibrary requires a CTLibrary subscription. If you would prefer this option, select the offer below that best fits your needs.
|
Like the preview? To read this complete article
and 18,013 more in the archive—JOIN NOW!
Easily find high-quality, well-researched materials that provide a Christian perspective on topics ranging from headlines to history.
Start using this invaluable tool TODAY for preparing your Bible studies, presentations, class lectures, sermons, meetings, and more.
|
It's easy and quick to join:
Brought to You by Christianity Today Int'l |  |
|
| 
Find similar articles
E-mail this page
