Transcript for the Piece Audio version of Father's Day Tribute: Fix'er Up, Dad.

Each father’s day I gravitate toward the cards and gifts with little wrenches, screwdrivers, and hammers. Thinking back to the strong image that was daddy in my earliest memories. Worn out blue jeans and a tool belt working days in his fathers shop and nights on the home my family would build a life in. in every season, Dad is what we called when something was broken.

In my teenage years, Dad’s penchant for rigging up the broken things in our lives became a source of irritation rather than pride. Even today I role my eyes a bit when I see his creative wheels turning wondering how he might squeeze one more year of usefulness out of some old relic at the house. I’m so different, preferring to throw out the old things in favor other new. If a lawnmower or appliance starts acing up, I pitch it out and start with a new model. I can almost hear my dad persuading, now hold on a minute lets take a look. It’s as if he feels compelled to give things another chance. To make sure nothings left before he gives up on an old friend.

As an adult man, trying hard to make sense of a world that can seem so cruel and ruthless, my heart has softened a bit toward the tender second chances of my Father. The same heart that made him give that lawn mower one more year, gave our family a much needed constancy. An out with the old in with the new heart like mine would’ve given up a long time ago on a woman like my mother, or my cocky brothers who think they know better, but certainly on a son like me.

Four years ago I bounded into my parents fundamental Christian utopia with the worst news they would ever hear from my life. The blow dealt to my family cannot be underestimated, but Dad’s reaction was possibly more astonishing. That night alone with me as the truth came out his eyes welled up with tears and he uttered a single lament – I’m so sorry you’ve faced this alone, son.

A heart like mine would have written a son like me, but not his. The same drive that beckons him to pull out the duck tape and try to give a lawn chair one more Summer in the sun drives him to his knees each morning to pray for me. In season and out, he’s always looking for a way through rather than a way out. I used to think it was cheap, but now I know it’s one of the most noble traits in a Father’s heart.

Next time Dad gets that curious look on his face, the one that guarantees the tools are coming out. I’m gonna smile inside, fix’er up Dad.