This Father’s Day is a special one. In 1966, Lyndon Johnson issued his Presidential proclamation naming the 3rd Sunday in June a day to honor fathers and male parenting a national holiday to compliment the longer-standing Mother’s Day. Forty-three years later, our family will be celebrating Father’s Day with a new member in our clan. My brother and his wife welcomed Madison Leigh into the world Thursday morning at 12:35 a.m.! From now on, Father’s Day will be preceded by little Maddie’s (I’m sure her uncle Scott will end up calling her that) birthday.
As Father’s Day rolls around in just a couple days, I like to think through various thoughts of my own dad. There are many. Many don’t realize that my biological father died of brain cancer when I was only two years old. I’m incredibly thankful to God for bringing into my life my dad. I refuse to call him my step-father and quickly correct anyone else who does. He’s been my “daddy Ray,” my pop for all my life’s memories.
One of those recollections always sticks out when Father’s Day approaches and I’m pondering either the holiday or looking for a good sermon illustration for Sunday morning. After my accident in 1983, I spent two months in North Carolina Memorial Hospital before being flown to Shepherd Spinal Center in Atlanta, Georgia, where I would spend the next eight months. On December 21st of 1983, I had surgery to fuse my 3rd and 4th cervical vertebrae. After the surgery, I was moved from Piedmont Hospital back to the Special Care Unit at Shepherd. I was scared and didn’t want to be left alone.
In stepped my dad. He stayed with me all night, sitting beside my hospital bed in what had to be the most-uncomfortable plastic, straight-backed chair. I would periodically drift off to sleep, but wake up soon after. The night seemed to last forever, but each time I awoke, I looked to my left to see my dad hanging in there, right by his fourteen-year-old son’s side. His eyes would sometimes be closed. Other times, he’d reach up to touch my head. He was there. That’s all that mattered to a frightened boy, who needed his daddy.
Unfortunately, due to unexpected transportation issues, our mission trip to Charleston, SC had to be postponed at the last minute. Although disappointed, we trust God’s timing is always best! Our Brazil Mission Team is working steadily getting ready to head to Salvador July 2nd through the 17th. Pray for them and we that remain here in Laurinburg!
In honor of our fathers, we’ll be having a special breakfast this Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. You ladies bring your favorite breakfast dish, and le’s have a great ime!
I’ll be continuing my message series through Philippians, addressing the topic, “Fathers Who Faithfully Stand Firm.” I really hope to see you Sunday morning. Bring a Bible and a friend!
Blessings!
Scott
