In Kenya, people like to know who you come from as much as where you come from. To recite one's own family lineage is an important introduction skill. While not all fathers are good and I can surely sober you up pretty quickly with some stories of being a daughter in sub-Saharan Africa, I would like to reflect on my father in this piece as the one who gave me the freedom to be me.
He flew the F-4 Phantom- the strongest fighter jet ever known in
the 1960’s on a mission to protect others and to put his life
into a cockpit for the United States Air Force and the greatest nation on
earth. He himself never has boasted or
told stories about it, just that he learned to shun alcohol and always defend
the Red White and Blue from any threats foreign or domestic. We don’t have to know any details but I learned to put my hand over my heart and stand to honor him and his friends that died in
that mission to give our nation security and the freedom to speak our mind about it.
Some years later he would use that same loyalty of character
to give security to his wife and daughters by providing for us a place to call
home on this earth.
He took me to my first concert when I was 6- Amy Grant‘s Unguarded tour in
1985. I fell asleep. But I know she sang a song called “My
Father’s Eyes” and I was proud that my eyes are hazel like his; maybe not the
point of the song to anyone else but me.
He carried me a long ways. When we visited New York City in 1986 I was sick and no
doubt whiny, but he carried me all the way up the steps inside Lady Liberty. Patriotism was instilled: A love for my
father’s and forefather’s land and liberties that cannot be taken lightly.
And my dad taught us to love God.
Then he took on a new mission in the early 90’s.
He took us to AFRICA!
So when people ask how my family dealt with me moving to
Kenya, I can say “My dad took me there first.” I was secure in his blessing. He taught me to love the whole world too.
Fathers provide security and strength and a picture of how
we could know God. Some dads only leave
their sons and daughters with a longing for a better Father-God. If that is you, my heart longs for you
to also know the Father’s great strong love as it truly is.
But my joy is so great today in knowing I will be returning to his house soon. A place where he gives me the joy of inviting people into his home and
knowing that everyone who enters will be blessed with a bowl of ice cream. The
sign outside the door of my father’s house says in all truth “Shalom Y’all”.
They say a little girl will grow up to marry a man like her
daddy. And I say man! I am blessed
beyond all imagination that that has been true in my life. May it be so for our little girl too.
* borrowed without permission from the title of Meg Meeker's awesome book Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters
