I’ve decided to spend a few posts talking about people that mean a great deal to me.

My father is a man that has been such an impacting, life-changing factor in my life.  Before I was a Christian, before I even knew a lick about Jesus, I couldn’t stand my parents.  I fought with them all the time.  I fought with myself all of the time.  Everything was a battle and with everyone I was combative.

9 years ago, my father started kidney dialysis because his kidneys work 12%.  Four years ago I gave Jesus my life and I piddled around for a good long time before my baptism the year after that.  In these four years not only has God given me a whole different outlook on life, God has also given me the best relationship with my parents that I can imagine.  My father is one of my best friends.

I know that it’s weird to give backstory that makes it seem like I was an awful person, but before God I was a wretch.  Only through the power and grace of God have I come to appreciate all that this man has done for me.  I sat at his bedside last week as he struggles with another complication.  And I know that every second I have with him is a gift and I will never ever lose sight of that again.

This man has taught me that laughter is essential.  He can laugh in the hospital bed.  He can laugh in every situation.  And that’s something that I want to saturate my life with: joy that cannot be taken away.