My Daddy - Father's Day 3-6-5

 

Best Dad Ever

My Daddy.

That is how I fondly referred to Charlie Lee Works whenever I spoke about him to others. Not "my father." Not "my dad." He was always my Daddy.

Whenever I shared one of my big ideas with him, he would smirk, slowly shake his head, look me directly in the eyes, and say, "Girl, you really know how to tell stories."

As a child, I took that to mean I had a wild imagination.

What I understand now is that my Daddy never dismissed my dreams. He never told me what I couldn't do. He never laughed at my aspirations or made me feel foolish for believing something was possible. Because he believed in me, I learned to believe in myself.

I loved my Daddy deeply. Even during the times when we knocked heads, he still walked on water in my eyes.

My Daddy worked hard. Very hard.

As a child, I never heard him complain about it. I watched him show up, provide, and keep moving forward. I assumed that was simply how life worked. I thought the peace he carried came from working hard and doing what needed to be done.

As I grew older, I realized there was more to the story.

My Daddy did have concerns. He had burdens. He had disappointments and heartaches just like everyone else. The difference was where he took them.

He took them to the Lord.

Instead of carrying his troubles from person to person, he carried them to God in prayer.

I know this because I heard him pray.

Not once or twice, but throughout my life.

As the Sunday School Superintendent, my Daddy prayed before dismissing us to our classes and again when Sunday School ended. As one of the church deacons, he faithfully prayed during morning worship services. At home, he prayed before our family meals. Prayer was not something my Daddy did occasionally. Prayer was woven into the fabric of his life.

His prayers were never rushed. He prayed long and fervently. As a child, I may not have fully understood everything he prayed, but I knew he was talking to someone he trusted completely.

Looking back, I realize I was witnessing something sacred.

I was watching a man take his burdens, responsibilities, concerns, and hopes to God.

More than anything else, my Daddy led me to Christ.

For that gift alone, I thank God every day.

The older I become, the more I appreciate the legacy he passed on to me. He taught me that faith is not something we talk about only when life is easy. Faith is where we go when life is hard. He showed me that when we need help, wisdom, comfort, or strength, we can take it all to the Lord in prayer.

My Daddy's relationship with God was evident. He knew who he was in Christ, and he passed that inheritance on to me.

Today, on Father's Day, I celebrate a man who believed in me, worked faithfully, loved deeply, and pointed me to Jesus.

His example still guides me.

And when life becomes heavy, when decisions are difficult, or when my heart is burdened, I find myself doing what I watched my Daddy do all those years ago.

I take it to the Lord in prayer.

To me, he will always be the Best Dad Ever.

Love always,

Annetta