A Tribute to Dad, by Kevin Mahoney

Who is your hero? Is it someone you’ve seen make unbelievable catches in the outfield? A guy who can score on a header from 20 yards out? A women who can sink a 30 foot putt? Sometimes we see these people as our hero’s. But sometimes it’s important to look behind their lives to see who their hero’s are. Such is the case with Chad Curtis, a man with World Series rings and a ton of memories as a fine major league player. Who is his hero? Here’s what Chad said. “My own hero is my father. I admire the example my dad set for me. He was always there when I needed him. He was consistent. He never wavered in what he believed or in how much he cared for me. His Christian faith strongly influenced me.” And I also know that Ted Curtis protected his son. One time, when Chad had been involved in a much publicized locker-room incident with a teammate, Chad’s dad called me to make sure the publisher knew the real story – not the one reported in the mainstream press.



This is real two-way royalty as it should be: the son appreciating his father’s guidance and the father still caring about his adult son. That’s what can happen when people take Proverbs 1:8 seriously. Solomon is calling for mutual respect as the father imparts wisdom to his son – wisdom for his life and guidance as he goes off on his own. Weather you’re a child who needs to heed your fathers instructions or whether you’re a father who is giving it, keep in mind that a relationship in which a child listen’s carefully to his or her dad’s instructions will lead to future success. And if you’re a dad, someday your son or daughter may even call you a hero.

This story is a perfect example when we apply the scriptures to our lives, we can see the blessings that would happen between a father and son or father and daughter, as well as a mother and son and mother and daughter. Again - Proverbs 1-8 says this – Listen my son, to your father’s instruction, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. Solomon is telling us if we listen carefully to our Father’s and Mother’s advise. It is those, that follow this wisdom, add beauty and honor to their lives. Amen…. Our lives become richer, more fulfilling. It has a real purpose, to help change our family, our church and even our community.



SEE……

I didn’t have the opportunity to grow up and look at my dad as my hero. My mom was taken from me at a very early age, and I use to ask God even before I knew him, “why have I been dealt these cards”. I searched hard and long, for the world to tell me, until 1987 when God finally got a hold of me, and began to tell me why these cards were dealt to me. See as a dad, you reflect on your past. You try to remember all the great times you shared with your own dad. I couldn’t remember one. Then it clicked – My heavenly dad spoke so softly in my ear and said, “I will be your dad”, the one who will never leave you nor forsake you. I will love you unconditionally and forever. When you are weak, I will be there to hold your arms up, when things are tough. And I will be the one that holds you when you breathe your last breath. That agape love is the same love we are to have with our own kids. The Lord has blessed us with three amazing children. Noelani, Jebb and Gunnar. As a dad, I don’t look at the grades that come home, nor how many trophies they won, or how many achievement certificates they receive. When our children look to us, in the highs and lows of their lives, they see one consistent thing – acceptance, approval, understanding and that unconditional love that I was given, back in 1987. If asked if there is anything I would do different as to being a dad, my answer would be no. I can say one thing for sure, I will never change, these words, for if I do, the ramifications are great for the future of my children – for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, in good times and bad times, til death due us part. My wife and I are partners for life, and the greatest reward our heavenly father has given Loriann and I, is the title of Mommy and Daddy. A title which there is no other greater feeling, when the words are spoken directly from my children’s lips. To hear daddy I love you, comes full circle to God’s promise he gave me, as he whispered in my ear 22 years ago.

To all you dads out there. every Day is Fathers Day! Amen………………

Mahalo,
Kevin Mahoney
Founder - NEHIM 1994