Monday, August 9, 2010

CHIP OFF THE OL' BLOCK

"You're just like your dad..."

I hear this quite often. Evidently, I'm a lot like him - a regular "chip off the
ol' block."

Most of the time, this remark is meant as a compliment - I'm glad. There are many things about my dad that I really admire. And to think that I have some of his qualities is awesome!

Want to know some of those things?!

  • I am the oldest child and oldest grandchild in my extended family - he is too.
  • I am the only one of the kids who has his hazel eyes.
  • I am conscientious and responsible.
  • I'm reliable and dependable.
  • I really love reading!
  • I really love sports!
  • I really love my mom (OK, that one was easy!!)
  • We both have analytical minds.
  • He's intelligent...(I don't lay claim to this one anymore, but I used to be smart in school!)
  • He likes to travel.
  • He loves the outdoors.
  • He likes to talk.
  • He's fascinated by World War II documentaries.
  • He deeply loves his family, and appreciates tradition.
He's the one who taught me how to ride a bike, how to throw a baseball like a boy (Thanks for that one, Dad!), how to (sorta) understand geometry, how to think and question, how to speak up and "hold my own," how to properly wash a car...

The list could go on and on...

I owe my dad a lot!

And truth be known, I'm glad that people think we're alike!

Yes, he has weaknesses (and I share some of those, too!) - but they are far outweighed by his good qualities. I'm honored to share some of those qualities with him!

But, what about my HEAVENLY Father?

Am I like Him?

What are the qualities that I want to have?

It's pretty much summed up in Galatians 6:22-23:

"...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."

ALL of the qualities GOD possesses:

LOVE: "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son..." (John 3:16)

JOY: "Honor and majesty surround him; strength and joy fill his dwelling."
(1 Chronicles 16:27)

PEACE: "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace..."
(1 Corinthians 14:33)

PATIENCE: "And remember, the Lord's patience gives people time to be saved." (2 Peter 3:15)

KINDNESS: "Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous." (Romans 3:24)

GOODNESS: "Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness...The LORD is good to everyone." (Psalm 145:7, 9)

FAITHFULNESS: "Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning." (Lamentations 3:23)

GENTLENESS: "Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart..." (Matthew 11:29)

SELF-CONTROL: "But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent...[He] made no response to any of the charges...(Jesus' behavior during His trial and His crucifixion showed remarkable self-control) (Matthew 27:12, 14)


Yeah, when people look at me, I just want them to see God in me and say...

"You're just like your Dad!"


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

3 comments:

  1. Hi Sharon,

    Those are good qualities to possess. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit producing good fruit in me as well.

    Thanks for sharing the fruit of the Spirit.

    Blessings

    MTJ

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful tribute to your earthly dad and loving words about our heavenly Father...I want others to see the His resemblance in me, too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh Amen to this one, Sharon.

    I want so much to be a chip off the old block and more so every day! I loved your scripture journey through the fruit of the spirit, too.

    And now, I'm going to hunt that rainbow post you mentioned. Blog hopping right on over...

    and thanks!

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)