Happy Father’s Day! (1 John 3:1)

I sent this letter to my father on Father’s Day 2015. 

My father passed away on October 5th, 2015.

Peace.

Dear Dad:

On this Father’s Day, I celebrate your life and what you mean to me. I remember, with great fondness, the conversations we had, the lunch trucks at Fisherman’s wharf, the baseball games with you cheering me on…but it was not the activities that made the deepest impression, it was being in your presence.

For several summers and Christmas vacations, you allowed me to work in your dental office and assist in the front office operations. During any spare moment I had, I would often tiptoe to the operatory next to where you were and listen to you speak to your patients. I marveled at the ease in how you directed the conversations, allaying the fears of the patients and allowing them to feel good about themselves by your self-deprecating humor and lively stories. I listened and learned from you, even though you were unaware. Being in your presence made me proud; I was proud of you and proud to be known as your son.

Perhaps this is why when I became a Christian, I immediately understood what it meant to be in awe and to find comfort and peace in the presence of God, the Father. When I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, I became an adopted son of God. I learned how to obey and trust God by emulating the example of His Son, Jesus Christ. Everything He did in His life was in obedience to God, the Father. I am eternally grateful to Him for my salvation, which I did not earn or deserve. I am proud to be known as an adopted son of God.

Dad, you have gifted me with so many valuable life lessons. Much of who I am is a reflection of you. But my very best qualities are a reflection of My Heavenly Father. May you allow me to thank you by offering you to come to our Heavenly Father through the invitation of His Son, Jesus Christ? Coming into His presence is only something you can do. In your rich and full life, you have witnessed God work through so many different people and situations. All of this was to lead you to a greater and deeper understanding of who He is.

On this Father’s Day, I pray that you will come to place your trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. He has been speaking to you during your entire life. Now is the time to come into His presence and accept the invitation to receive His eternal gift of salvation. The same pride and happiness I had when I spent time in your presence as my earthly father, will now be with you when you come into the presence of your Heavenly Father.

I love you Dad.

Aloha Malama Pono…

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! 

1 John 3:1 (NKJV)