80 Years of Faithfulness and Blessing

My dad, Doug Robertson, turns 80 tomorrow. Yeah 80. Wow. He has been blessed with parents who loved the Lord and who I remember dearly. He has been blessed to marry his high school love in my mom. He has been blessed to have kids - my brother, sister and I. He has been blessed to have grandkids from all of us kids. And he has been been blessed to find a new person to love after we lost mom to brain cancer almost 3 years ago now.

Growing up with dad was always interesting. He was a hard worker, traveled a lot, and made his way up the rankings of the insurance industry. At church he was always a respected man from what I saw and heard. He served as both Deacon and Elder for 2 churches - Churchill Heights Baptist Church (Morningstar Christian Fellowship) and Fairview Baptist Church. He helped guide the building process and expansions at both churches, and still consults with Fairview for their plans.

Dad once said, "Better to be thought of as a fool, than to open your mouth and remove all doubt." He had used that philosophy at many occasions I'm sure as I have tried to do. He served as a youth leader using the Word of Life curriculum, Sunday School teacher, and more.

One of my favourite memories growing up was when at the end of a morning service they had called for an offering and he was an usher that day, so he quickly grabbed an offering plate - one of those big metal kinds - and threw it Frisbee style to Gary Spence right across the back pews diagonally! Luckily no one was sitting there! I was upstairs on AV and saw the choir laughing - I didn't know why until later!

Dad was always big on respect - something a lot of our current generation seems to be lacking. That was something he ingrained in us as kids. He also taught us that part of being a believer is to serve - he did that by example. He led us in Bible studies, and corrected when he needed to. He didn't leave mom to handle it all, it was a home that it was understood that if you messed up, "Just wait until your father gets home."

I have had meaningful talks with dad, many during the time when mom was going through her journey towards home, and still he was teaching through example. I asked how he was doing as a son could ask a dad, and he said he was okay, but that it was not his strength, but God's. Times of joy. love, tears, and more over the years. Now he's 80, and still going strong with his new wife, and still serving as he can for the church. What an example.

Happy Birthday dad!