Some pastors enjoy the privilege of their parents being part of their church family. I do. Some fifteen years ago my Dad drove out to our house. He had a question. Would it bother me if he and Mom joined our church? I responded that it would not bother me if it did not bother them that their son was the pastor.

Neither Dad nor my Mom wanted to create an awkward position by their presence. The question reflected their desire to find a place to call home and fit in without privilege. They would indeed dig in and work. Dad is a Deacon in our church and teaches an adult Bible Study group. Mom has worked with Youth from my earliest memories and remains connected.

A few Sunday evenings ago we had finished our adult Bible Study. Walking back toward the office Dad asked a question related to our study. He never asks simple questions. He is always thinking. We talked about it for a few minutes. He then remarked that, “You know I have lots of questions.” I replied, “Yes, I know, that is where I get it!”

The older we get the more we realize genealogy is more than discovering our ancestors. We learn the acute influences that shape us. For instance, Dad is an electrical engineer. He still consults in retirement. There is little doubt my penchant to want to know more, learn more, and look beyond overly simplified answers to complex questions fell to me via his vocation and his own internal wiring.

I snapped this photo from our trip to Creede this summer. I could not help but think of his Dad, Grandpa Littleton as we referred to him. My memories of their place on North Linn in Oklahoma City was of the garage full of old tools. Dad helped Grandpa work on rental property which meant he learned to shade tree everything. He is not afraid to try to fix anything, even if in the end he has to call in a professional. The old tools collected from the Last Chance Mine on display reminded me of Grandpa’s garage and what he passed on to my Dad.

One day our girls and grandsons may wonder, “Where did I get that?” They likely won’t have to look far. I didn’t. I see many great things gifted from both Dad and Mom.

Happy Birthday Dad