Ask Dad. He Knows. {A Free Printable for Father’s Day}
When I was 8, I asked him things like, “How do they make paper from wood?” And he knew because he had worked in a paper mill.
When I was 16, it was, “How do you know how to fix everything on a car?” And the answer was that he had owned a lot of cars himself that had needed fixing.
When I was 18, it was, “How do I know for sure if he loves me?” But the truth was, my Dad had shown me all my life what true love was, so I already knew.
When I was 23, I would ask, “How will we know what to do with this child?” And he’d say, “The Lord will give you wisdom.” (And when I’ve asked the same question every year since then, he gives me the same answer and says that I’ve done just fine, which is all I really need to hear.)
When I was 26, I would ask him what kind of paint would be best for a piece of furniture. And, of course, he knew because he has painted hundreds of things.
And when I was 29, sitting in my living room with tears streaming down my face, asking how long the doctors had said he would live, he answered, “They say just a few months, but it’s all in God’s control.”
And for 11 years since that time, I’ve asked him for advice onwhatever random subject or problem I’ve had to face. Healways seems to know the answer to whatever I ask. And I’m just so thankful he’s still here so I can.
It’s just like the sign that hung in the drug store on “It’s a Wonderful Life.” When young George Bailey didn’t know what to do about the poisonous pills, he glanced at the sign and had the answer.
I’ve always loved that sign, and in honor of Father’s Day, I’ve made my own version.
And I’ve made into a printable if you’d like to download and print one for yourself, too. You can choose a 5×7 or an 8×10 (or reduce the size and print it smaller if you’d like). Click here for the link.
This one’s in our library on our ladder bookshelf, and I want it to stay there as a reminder to my kids that they can always ask their dad for advice onanything.
The older I’ve gotten, the more I realize what a blessing it is to have a great dad. He’s influenced thousands of people with his life, but possibly no one more than me. He’s the best dad ever. I hope you’ve had the same greatopportunity in your own life. And if you haven’t, take it uponyourself to become that great influence inthe life of a child you love.
Happy Father’s Day week to all the dads we love!
Lady E
June 10, 2014 @ 12:44 pm
My father abandoned us when I was 5 but I have many wonderful fathers in my life including, of course, the Lord. This post made me cry not because I long for a father but because I am thankful that my biological father left us because God sent me better fathers. Also, you wrote your post in such a lovely way…truly heartfelt. Happy Father's Day to your dad!
Julie
June 11, 2014 @ 12:03 am
Thank you so much! And what a blessing for you to recognize God's hand in your life & have so many great influences! Thanks for sharing this 🙂
John Webb
June 14, 2014 @ 4:58 am
I absolutely LOVE this post!!!!! Thanks for sharing and for honoring fathers, they have such value in the home, and to us their children. And for you "Lady E"…hope you get this: a wonderful little verse I cherish is this: Ps. 27:10, short simple, and so like our God to think of even putting that in His Holy Word, for just those precise situations.
Julie
June 14, 2014 @ 11:14 am
Thanks so much for sharing that, Kelly! Such a sweet verse. 🙂