Sixty

While I know that women most often don't like to reveal their age, men generally don't seem to have a problem with it. Or maybe I should re-phrase that: I don't have a problem revealing men's ages. :)

And so it's with a heart full of joy and gratitude that I reveal that my dad turned 60 yesterday.

God has blessed this world with him for sixty years.

Sixty years of growth.

Sixty years of impact.

Sixty years of lives changed for eternity.

I look at him and see the same characteristics I saw as a little girl. Only more so. As never before, I value and appreciate his wisdom, his leadership, his involvement, his being there. Even as an adult (and I WON'T reveal my age), we laugh that I still have him wrapped around my little finger. I don't know that it's manipulation on my part, or simply his selfless, generous love for me.

Take, for instance, the day in early December when I gave him a call and asked if he'd be coming into town (where we live) anytime soon. He said he didn't have any plans to do so, but asked me what I needed. I quickly said, "Oh, nevermind, it's not a big deal," to which he insisted, "Nikki, what do you need?" Convinced, I asked him if he might be able to go into their woods and cut some greens for the table I was decorating at a brunch. He agreed without pause.

It wasn't till he showed up at my house bearing a huge load of boughs that I learned he'd had to traipse through a couple feet of snow to get out to the trees. And then he'd crawled beneath the evergreens in order to cut them off. Never a word of complaint. Never a negative word. He just repeatedly gives and serves out of love, no matter how it might inconvience him. That's just how he is.

This daughter looks up to her dad and sees the same man she's always known.
Still strong.
Still muscular.
Still active.
Still present.

Still generous.
Still able.
Still wise.
Still heroic.

Still loving and serving the same God He's pursued all her life.

I thank God for the amazing work of transformation He's done in my dad's life. I thank Him that my dad has consistently and faithfully loved his family and modeled what it means to walk with Christ. Though it's his birthday we celebrate, I feel like the joy and gladness is all ours, for this world has had the blessing of my dad's life for 60 years.

And I, for one, have been forever changed because of his love.

Happy Birthday, Dad. We love you.