Father's Day 2000

"The man didn’t have enough money. How was he supposed to turn and tell his 8 kids that he didn’t have enough money to take them to the circus? Seeing what was going on, my dad put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a $20 bill and dropped it on the ground. (And we were not wealthy in any sense of the word) My father reached down, picked up the bill, tapped the man on the shoulder and said, ’EXCUSE ME, SIR, I BELIEVE THIS FELL OUT OF YOUR POCKET.’

"The man knew what was going on. He wasn’t begging for a handout but certainly appreciated the help in a desperate, heartbreaking, embarrassing situation. He looked straight into my dad’s eye, took my dad’s hand in both of his, squeezed tightly onto the $20 bill, and with quivering lips and a tear streaming down his cheek, replied, ’THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THIS REALLY MEANS A LOT TO ME AND MY FAMILY.’"

Brethren, the man telling the story about his father, said, "My father and I went back to our car and drove home. We didn’t go to the circus that night, but we didn’t go without."

What a father that man was! What a godly illustration of Christ!

Thank God for all fathers who have been godly illustrations, godly examples to follow!

CONCLUSION------------------------------------------

ILL.- A LETTER TO DAD

There are so many things I’d like

To tell you face to face;

I either lack the words or fail

To find the time and place.

But in this special letter, Dad,

You’ll find, at least in part,

The feelings that the passing years

Have left within my heart.

The memories of childhood days

And all that you have done,

To make our home a happy place

And growing up such fun!

I still recall the walks we took,

The games we often played;

Those confidential chats we had

While resting in the shade.

This letter comes to thank you, and,

For needed words of praise;

The counsel and the guidance, too,

That shaped my grown-up days.

No words of mine can tell you, Dad,

The things I really feel;

But you must know my love for you

Is lasting, warm and real.

You made my world a better place,

And through the coming years;

I’ll keep these memories of you

As cherished souvenirs.