Ode to My Father/Owed to My Father

They say an ode is just a poem to someone we should respect; so Father’s Day is time to say, some thoughts as I reflect.

Though a poet I’m not, I’ll give it a shot, for someone I owe a lot; so here’s my ode to one I’ve owed: the one who me begot.

So, Dad, here goes, from one who writes prose, I’ll attempt to write you an ode; though my rhymes be rough and my rhythms quite tough, my thanks to you is still owed.

I called you Dad and I was sad, when you passed before my eyes; but ere that day you had much to say, such wisdom I will always prize.

Like, “Stand up straight!” and, “Love, don’t hate!”, “Don’t step in your own bear trap!”; “Don’t sleep till noon, but work for your room,” and “Don’t be a lazy chap!”

“Go kiss your mother and be a good brother; respect those who are older than you!” (But now I find, near age sixty-nine: those older than me are so few!)

“Salute the flag, don’t let it drag, but hold it for others to see. Your land has flaws, but it’s still a cause worth fighting and dying to keep.”

“To church we go, through rain or snow!” You showed me that Jesus is Lord; “So sit up straight, and pass the plate, e’en though by the sermon you’re bored.”*

“Your faith is more than what you swore in church when you were confirmed; it’s how you act, and that’s a fact, though salvation is nothing you earned.”

Yes, you said much, but your gentle touch showed your wisdom was more than just words. You lived your life through joy and strife; your lessons were both seen and heard.

An acorn, they say, will always stay close to the oak where it grew; I pray that’s true, and that I grew to be like the one that I knew.

To say, “We love God,” is naught but a fraud, if we don’t love the ones that we see. Thank the Father above that he showed me his love: he made you, my father to be.

So, Dad, I must say, on this Father’s Day, “I want you to know of my love; as you walk with the Lord, whom you always adored, and rejoice with your Father above!”

And now, for all who read this: May the Lord bless you and keep you, the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you, the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. Amen.

Read: 1 John 4:7-21; Deuteronomy 5:15-17; Ephesians 6:2

 

*Note: This never happened whenever I was preaching.