Someone wise once said, "Find a job you love to do, and you'll never have to work a day in your life."  I know I have found it in being a dad.

I admit, I've not been much on Father's Day in the past.  Sure, we get together as a family, and I enjoy seeing my dad, watching a ballgame with him, etc.  I usually receive the obligatory tie from my kids (thankfully, I didn't get one of those this year!) and the card with the sweet sentiments. 

But yesterday was absolutely the best Father's Day I've ever had in my life.  It started off with a very memorable time of worship, led by men from our Creative Arts Ministry.  The men rocked!  And the congregation responded.  God was in the house, and it was just a great day of worship. 

Then my little family and I packed all of our instruments in the truck and headed down south.  We ate lunch at my in-laws, and they all began to look at old pictures.  Wow, 20 years ago I was 50 lbs lighter and didn't have grey hair.  I saw pics of my wife in high school.  She was and still is awesome looking.  My only regret is that I didn't meet her sooner.  I'd love to have known her back then and say I married my high school sweetheart. 

Then we went to my folks house.  My father is 81, and I can only assume he might not have too many Fathers Days left.  So we decided to do a "sneak" concert for him in his living room.  We brought the drums, keyboard, bass, guitar, mandolin, ukelele, and all necessary amps.  Can  you say Partridge Family wannabes?  We went there to be a blessing to him.  But as usual, God turned the tables on me, for it was I who was extremely blessed.

With my oldest daughter Kayse on guitar & vocals, Jayme on bass and vocals, Ally on drums, and me on keys (+ my brother on anything else that needed covering) we had our own time of celebration & worship, one we won't forget for a long, long time.   Dad's face lit up with joy, and I knew we were touching his heart in a powerful way. 

When we got back home to Kingwood, I laid awake much of the night, with my heart as full as its ever been.  It's so easy to get picky & critical with family members.  They do this.  They don't do that.  They did this wrong. 

But for me, I was in awe that God would allow me to be part of a family that is still maturing in the Lord.  No, my parents weren't perfect.  But they weren't out getting drunk & running around on each other.  They weren't abusing us in any way.  They were strict, but they loved us, and still do in very tangible ways.  They've made their boys their life, and have set much aside to bless us and their six grand-kids. 

I'm also in awe as a dad.  My kids aren't perfect.  But I don't have any worries that they're out doing drugs, running with fast boys, or getting into serious trouble.  I say this not to brag, but to boast in the Lord.  It's all--repeat, it's ALL--God's grace.  One of my prayers for them over the years has been that when they are guilty, they are caught--that they might never get good at lying or becoming deceptive people.  And God has answered that prayer.  No, we're not talking Mother Teresa here, but my daughters are senstiive to the Lord & others around them.  They have brought much joy to my life. 

I'll never be a land baron or appear on any list from Forbes.  Unless they come up with "American Idol for Middle-Aged Men" I won't be rich & famous (and I wouldn't win, anyway!)  But if I was to die today I could say I can't be happier.  Being a dad and the son of a dad is the best job in the world.