Today is fathers day and to honor him, I want to share with you what I sent him this morning.
I had the privilege of walking 10 days (8hrs a day) across the northern coast of Spain with my father on the Camino – the spiritual pilgrimage St. James took to Santiago de Compostela.
Dear Dad,
After you left the Camino, all the of the guys kept telling me how smart and wise you are. Sunoh in particular kept quoting you on ways we should approach our work this coming year saying we should all look to be ‘missional’ people. Daniel talked about how great of a speaker you are. I asked Daniel for some feedback and he just said, “You should really try to take after your dad. He does a great job of building concrete points, illustrating them, and sticking to the point.”
Of course what these guys were saying to me is nothing new. I’ve been bragging how I’m like my dad since it occurred to me how much people look up to you as their leader. I’m glad people associate my traits and character to be like yours – It’s a sign I’m growing up to be more of a man. Most men go through life with no father figure and no man with a solid foundation of biblical wisdom and integrity. But I do, thats you, and I’ll be the first to say it.
More than above, you should know I appreciate your coaching and mentorship. Since graduating, you have never once told me what to do with my life, or how you would go about doing ‘it’. Instead, you ask me questions, and help me navigate through life’s challenges by leading me to draw my own conclusions. You never bud in or try to take control, you simple listen, love me, and pray that the years of coaching leading up to this point would render me successful. As I draw up the plan for my life, I’ve taken and will continue to take your parenting, coaching, and advice to heart, Second, only to our Father in heaven.
Thanks for making such a powerful impact in my life, always encouraging me to work hard, and giving me any and every tool I will need to succeed. Aside from Him, you are the greatest example of what it means to be a man.
Hope you don’t mind, but I think ill post this to my blog for all to see.
Love you dad and happy fathers day.
-Justin
Seth Barnes (founder of AIM and KJ) and my dad (chairman of the Board)
