Jimbo's Jots

It’s a Father’s Day celebration! As this time of year rolls around, I see my dad’s face. I think about that last time I saw him. How frail his body had become.

This is not how I really remember my dad. I remember a guy who after falling 20 feet off of a ladder and breaking his back when I was a baby, still climbed up ladders as I was growing up. He included anyone who wanted to help remodeling the old house or building the barn garage. He was brave enough when I was younger to even hold the nail while I would hammer. Every so often, I would hit the wrong nail!

I remember a man with a booming bass voice. He loved music and to sing, especially church music. I grew up in a small church and dad was one of the worship leaders. He taught several of us young guys how to lead worship, use a pitch pipe and wave our hands to conduct the church to sing. He encouraged us to get up at a young age (I think I was 5 years old!) to get up and lead.

I remember a man who sat with his children and lovingly spent time with them at a funeral service for two of his children. Oh how sad he was! You could really sense that a part of him had died. Yet, he loved on his children through their pain and suffering. He was compassionate and loving, even when we messed up.

In our teen class on Sunday morning, we’re studying the Lord’s Prayer. It starts with “Our Father”. As we talk about this prayer, I’m reminded of my own father as we share in talking about praying to THE Father. I think about maybe God the Father holding the nails in place for us to nail them in. Only to have us miss the nail and hit HIs thumb instead. I think about a booming bass voice that sounds like thunder as he sings to us. I think about a Father who is compassionate and loving, even when we mess up.

I’m thankful to God for blessing me with a dad that showed me how God loves me! My world was a better place because of Clarence Robert Calkin.

Be blessed! Be a blessing to others!