Happy Father’s Day to our incredible dad. We are so grateful for you, your love for Jesus, your love for us, and your desire to bless dads across this country. The Apostle Paul well states: “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.” That’s you!

As an interesting twist to this Father’s Day, I (Sarah) asked each of my brothers and sisters to share a memory about dad: either from their childhood or young adult years. Here goes!

Eight Memories from Eight Maxwells:

Nathan: I remember a wonderful cross-country road-trip with Dad—Washington to Kansas, Christopher, Dad and I. The cab of the Ryder truck (a rental company like U-Haul but didn’t break down as often) was never orderly (probably more of a Chris deal than me :)), there were suction cup darts stuck to the windshield (when they weren’t falling off and getting sent flying back up again), and I probably asked when the next stop was way too often—but it was a great trip with Dad, and I’m grateful he took us along. Love you, Dad.

Christopher: I remember a winter when Dad and I would go for early morning jogs together. It was dark and cold out, and the only vehicle that would be out and about would be a delivery van throwing newspapers to houses. I had a great time jogging with my Dad and am so glad we had that time together.

Sarah: When Dad worked in Kansas City, he would send us faxes sometimes over his lunch break (that was 20+ years ago, folks). One day I sent him a card at work, and I felt so special when I received my very own fax back (see the picture at the bottom of the post: I found it when working on this!). I also loved when he wrote us notes and left them out for us before going to work. Little acts mean so much to children!

Joseph: One of my most appreciated memories of Dad was our weekly meeting times. On Sunday, he would rotate through chatting with us. It was a heart-to-heart time of discussing problems that we were struggling with as well as him encouraging us in the ways of the LORD. That was such a blessing and something I will never forget.

John: Dad would often do projects, when I was growing up. I am grateful that he would include us on them and let us help. I have great memories of spending many Saturday’s working together.

Anna: Even the small things make impressions on us when we’re young. I remember one special outing with Dad when I was young. We were going to pick up books or something in Kansas City and as we were going down the road I remember discussing what some of the buildings were. Then Dad said he wanted to show me something special. He pulled into a parking lot for a tall hotel. We walked in together, and I remember as a little girl standing there awe struck. I had never been in a hotel with such a huge atrium with flowers and fountains everywhere and a fancy restaurant in the middle! I felt so special and loved that Dad had wanted to show me this pretty hotel. We walked around just a little as I soaked it all in, and then it was time to go. That memory is still imprinted on my mind. It wasn’t just seeing a nice hotel but the fact that Dad had thought of something special just to show me.

Jesse: I have fond memories of grocery shopping every week with Dad. We went in the evening and Dad would load all of us in the van, and we would all try to help where possible. Whether we actually were helpful or not, I don’t know, but I do know we had a great time!

Mary: One of my fondest memories of Dad was when I was just starting to think about sin, Jesus, heaven, hell, and death. I was only 5 at the time, which is quite young to understand the concept of Jesus dying on the cross for your sins. I would ask Dad questions about getting saved. He knew I was young and wanted to make sure I fully understood the ramifications. So he would put me in his lap, and we talked about Jesus and what He did for me. Finally one night, I ran to him, begging that I could ask Jesus into my heart that night. He brought me to the living room where we both knelt down (the family joined us too), and Dad helped me pray, and I placed my faith in Jesus Christ. I’m amazed at how much he invests in us!

“Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”
1 Timothy 5:17