Papa

I have a great dad. The thing that stands out about him is that he's always been a student, always willing to learn new things. He's a man of great character and integrity and he's been a true example of a man to me in many ways. But my dad comes from the old school of keeping his feelings bottled up and not really saying what's bothering him. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, even long silence, but just last week he wrote me an email telling me how I was such an inspiration to him. It totally blew me away - I just stared @ the screen in incredible joy and finally knowing how my dad FELT!

I also have a great Papa. The things that stand out about Him is His ability to patiently teach me about relationships. His character is beyond compare yet He never flaunts it in my face and degrades me w/ it. Papa always lets me know how he feels about me and that doesn't change - even when I blow it or mess up. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, many long silences, but He has patiently worked, waited, and worked on me again so that I could grow in my understanding of where He is and where He's heading. Papa and I talk more more my dad and I. Just when I'm sure I understand Him, Papa shows me a whole new level on our relationship.

One thing that Papa is teaching me right now is how to rely on Him. I thot I should do my very best and ask Him to do the rest. Nope. Papa wants me to rely on Him 1st to last. When I do that my ego isn't involved, I don't secretly (or publicly) take credit b/c I know who empowered me to make it thru my day. In fact, this idea has rubbed off on some of my people relationships and freed me to not worry so much about what others think about me. This is truly why (when my dad wrote me the email) I could only say, "Look what Papa did this time!"
In His Hands,
MidBrad