This is something I forget to remember so often, but it is also something that I rediscover so often throughout each week.
Let me tell you about my dad.
My father is Dan Roye. Son of a pastor, grown up to be a pastor.
1.He loves his family.
He is an amazing son to an amazing woman and they have one of the most beautiful mother-son relationships I have ever seen. The love that he has for my grandmother is precious. They pray for each other, walk with each other through trials and tribulations, encourage each other, and just plain show their love for each other.
He is a loving father and husband. He adds flair to our family that only he could bring. He prays for his children daily and lifts his wife up in prayer just as often. He has raised his family to love Christ without limitation or boundary. He taught me what true worship and adoration for the Lord looks like. It is from him that my obsession with music was born and I will be forever grateful for that.
He loves Koda. If you don't know who Koda is, here is a picture are a few pictures (don't make me limit the number):
Koda is probably my dad's biggest pride and joy. His obsession with him may be slightly unhealthy, but it is okay because Koda brings him so much joy and happiness.
2.He loves the church
Time and again I have seen my dad give up his own time in order to meet the needs of the church. He is so passionate about the work that God has provided him with and his passion shows through in his sermons and weekly preparations.
That man is dedicated. He is dedicated to serving God's people. He is dedicated to lifting up church members in prayer. He is dedicated to helping where there is a need. He is dedicated to being where he is needed.
And that is beautiful.
3. He loves people
Let me tell you, that man LOVES people. It doesn't matter if you have known him for 40 years or if you just met him, he loves you. He will reach out to any stranger and strike up a conversation with any person he comes in contact with. Heck, he befriended a grocery store clerk at Price Chopper and was able to use that as a ministry opportunity.
I used to be so embarrassed by his outgoing personality when it came to him starting conversation with random strangers, but as I have grown up I see how beautiful it is. Who knows what kind of impact those conversations had on the people he reached out to. Who knows how much those people needed someone to say hey or strike up conversation with them in that moment.
I see it as a gift now. A gift of being Christ to people and showing His love to everyone he comes in contact with.
4.My dad is strong.
That man has gone through so much in his ministry and I have seen him be faithful in situations that I don't think I could have ever been faithful in. I have seen him trust God in the darkest moments. I have seen him persevere through situations that I don't know how he had the strength to get through.
And it is all because of his faith and love and trust in GOD.
None of it was done through his own strength, but through the strength of Christ. He had to trust that God knew what He was doing and even through the most painful of times, he has to surrender to the plans and will of God.
And he did.
I love my dad so much.
He is someone that I look up to.
His trust in God and faith in His plan is lovely.
It is because of the way that he leads our family and because of the example he has been in his own faith that I see how I want to lead my family and how I want to live out my own faith.
It is because of his example that I absolutely LOVE the church. Even through all the crud that goes on in churches, I love the church and I think the body of Christ is beautiful.
I am thankful that he has been a fearless leader and a beautiful example to me and my family.
I love you dad.
If you have any interest in checking out our church here's a link:
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