My Dad

I thought of something my dad said,

“I was smoking and drinking at your age.

Only by God’s grace I’m not dead.

You’re doing better than I was.”

If I had to do all over,

I’d do it like you are.

I’d be the best I could be.

I guess what I mean is, son,

You’re a better man than I am.

Well, my dad is no carpenter,

Nor does he have four years in post-grad school,

But he’s master of many trades,

Yet humbly, he is the Lord’s tool.

If I had to do all over,

I’d do it like you are.

I’d be the best I could be.

I guess what I mean is, son,

You’re a better man than I am.

Well, dad, you taught me what I know

About loving Jesus with all my heart,

And since you’ve taught me where to go,

I hope someday, I’ll be like you.

Since my whole life is before me,

I’ll do it like you are.

I’ll be the best I can be.

I guess what I mean is, dad,

You’re the best man I’ll ever know.

I can overlook your mistakes

Since you saw straight through all my childhood faults

Right to the man the Lord could make,

Purging me of my error’s claws.

-Austin Ward
11/16/06