This wizbit was one of those less verbal/more demonstrated types that Dad taught me with his actions. Dad has never seemed to be intimidated by anything. I’m sure he was, at times, but he did a good job of hiding it. As far as we were concerned, Dad would attempt anything worth doing.
More than once, Dad took a little of nothing and made it into a thriving business. Faced with the odds, Dad often ignored them and went on anyway. Sometimes it worked out just right, other times, it was an uphill climb. But the important thing was that he tried, and usually succeeded.
Since I have coined this wizbit from what I think Dad was teaching me, I’ll explain why I used the word “almost” in it. Dad was always trying to get us to see the optimistic side of things. We were always looking at the downside of things and he would try to lift us up and raise our sights. We thought it was stupid, and so do our kids. (I hope we do as good a job as Mother and Dad did!)
With all this optimistic talk and encouragement, Dad was still realistic. He would let us know that there were limits to what we could, or should, do. These limits, though, were set more for safety’s sake or based on moral issues than due to our ability to perform the tasks.
As I have mentioned earlier, I am continually amazed at the things Dad can do. Most of these he does because he knows he can if he will just try to do them. These include construction, engineering, wiring, heating/cooling/ventilation, inventing, selling, and the list that goes on and on and is still growing.
Dad did not teach me to do all the things I now can do. But he did teach me that I could do them… if I would just try to do them. I may never have as many accomplishments behind me as Dad does, but I will be able to do things that Dad may never be able to do because Dad taught me to take what I have to work with and make it be the tool I need to succeed. As I work on various broken items, design and build a set of shelves, write programs for a computer, (even write a book!), I am continually amazed at what God and Dad have done for me. I don’t really understand how this information got passed on to me, but it did, and I am glad!
I think one of Dad’s favorite verses in the Bible must be Philippians 4:13 which states: “I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength.” The verse may not actually apply to some of the physical jobs that we do, but it is a source of strength and encouragement that you rarely find.
Thank you, Dad, for teaching me that I do not have to sit and allow things to happen to me, for showing me that there are opportunities around every corner, for showing me that I can do almost anything… if I’ll try.
