Today, I attended the memorial service of the father of one of my colleagues, George Woods. George’s dad, Lloyd Woods, was 80 years old. I thought George’s remarks about his dad were ones that many of us could relate to.  For many of you, your father had a very positive influence in your life. But some of you may not have had the kind of dad you dreamed of.  Either way, I hope George’s words below (which I partially edited for length) will show you how a father’s influence continues to live in his children. I also hope his thoughts will inspire you to leave a positive, lasting legacy for your kids.

“As I was praying and preparing for today, it caused me to pause and reflect on my father’s life. I think we all have a God-instilled desire to be remembered after we’re gone—a desire that our life meant something and that we left a lasting impact on the world around us. We all want to leave a legacy.

If you’re someone famous, they may put up a statue of you. But for the rest of us, I think our legacy isn’t an empty statue. Our legacy will be living and breathing—in our children and grandchildren.

So I thought I would share with you the legacy and impact my dad has left with me.

If you hear me calling my wife “sugar,” honey,” or “baby,” that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me loving to cook on the grill, while enjoying a conversation with my kids, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me working hard and doing something with excellence, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me always wanting to be with my wife and children, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If I say to my college-age daughters as they pull out of the driveway “when you coming to see me again?” that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me serving at my church, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me excited about going fishing with friends and my sons, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me hating debt, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me striving to make Christmas morning a special memory for my kids, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me offering to help people solve their problems, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you hear me telling a joke to lighten the mood, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me excited to attend family reunions, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me love connecting people to other people, so that they might help one another, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me striving to be a Godly man, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me helping a friend or a neighbor out, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me relishing being in the presence of my best friends, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me willing to do anything for my family and friends, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me wanting to be the leader, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me loving my wife madly, that’s not me, that’s my dad.

If you see me, my siblings, the grandkids and the great grandkids professing Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, that’s not us, that’s our dad.

Thanks for leaving a legacy Dad, well done . . . well done.”

I’d like to hear how your father lives through you. Please share your comments.