Committment

Today is my father's birthday and in thinking about a personality trait that best describes him would have to be committment. Happy Birthday, Dad. I know that your sense of being committment and constant has been what has made you respected by so many, and most of all blessed by God. In conversations with my Dad during the last weeks before leaving for Bolivia, I was impressed by the constancy he has shown with his family and in his faith. He stood by his own parents in their aging years, beisde the bedisde of his own dad as he passed away. He stood beside us his children in all of the ups and downs of life. He stood by his church, not just with attendance, but with giving of his time and sacrificially giving of his income. I remember a picture of my dad standing on the entrance of the church bus. He gave his time in trying to reach more children. Both he and my mom gave years of time with Jet Cadets, a youth program that I know was an influence on many of us there at Immanual Baptist Church. He stood beside several young people, helping them move forward with their lives in times of crisis. And he gave of his income. We talked of how the IRS was surprised at how much he contributed to his church even when his income was on shakey ground. He gave, he said, because he had made a commitment and that no matter what he would fulfill that promise - there were missionaries who depended on that money. God has blessed him and I don't think it is just conincidence or his own finanical manipulations - he was wise in his choices - not selfish, but trusting God to meet his needs while he fulfilled his commitment to HIM. Need we a better example? I thank God for a father who has been constant and I pray that God will continue to use and bless him. Happy Birthday, Dad.