Today is my dad's 61st birthday, and last weekend, he received an early birthday present- A Mini Cooper!
When my mom sent me the picture of Dad sitting in his new car in the church parking lot, I almost didn't believe it. I cannot remember my dad ever driving a nice car. My mom always drove the newer and nicer cars, and Dad always drove the clunkers (literally). When I was born, he had a bright yellow Nissan truck. I always thought it was ugly, but looking back at it now, it was probably the oldest and ugliest car in his work parking lot. That never seemed to bother him. After he had to get rid of the truck, he has driven numerous older cars, including Mom's old wood paneled van, a couple of Saturns and a green and purple Suzuki. Even his 3 teenage daughters drove nicer cars!
So when I saw the picture of Dad in his dream car, I was ecstatic for him. What an appropriate birthday gift for a man who has lived a life of sacrifice. I began thinking of all the things that my dad has sacrificed for his family and all the times his sacrifices have gone unrewarded. For me, the ultimate sacrifice my father made for me was changing jobs to work at a local college so that I could receive full tuition at a sister college. I think about how hard it must have been for him to give up a job he enjoyed so I could go to the college of my choice.
While Dad loves his new car, and I'm so glad that after the years of waiting, he can drive something he enjoys, I know without a doubt, he would continue to drive clunkers if his family needed him too. A new car isn't a big enough reward for all the years of sacrificial living, but I know that my Dad's ultimate reward will come in heaven when the Father looks at him and says, "Well done my faithful servant." My dad's life is a constant example of the type of life God calls us to- a life that puts others before ourselves, a life that sacrifices no matter the cost. It spurs me on to continue to live sacrificially even in the absence of recognition or reward because I know that the ultimate reward for a life of sacrifice is not found here on this earth.
So, Happy Birthday, Dad! Thank you for your living example of sacrifice, and enjoy your new car. You more than deserve it.
