Amid the celebration, there was tragedy. It was the opening ceremonies
of the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona. One by one the teams entered the
stadium and paraded around the track to the cheers of 65,000 people. But in one
section of Olympic Stadium, shock and sadness fell as Peter Karnaugh, father of
United States swimmer Ron Karnaugh, was stricken with a fatal heart attack.
Five days later, Ron showed up for his race wearing his dad’s hat, which
he carefully set aside before his competition began. Why the hat? It was the
swimmer’s tribute to his dad, whom he described as “my best friend.” The hat
was one his dad had worn when they went fishing and did other things together.
Wearing the hat was Ron’s way of honoring his dad for standing beside him,
encouraging him, and guiding him. When Ron dove into the water, he did so
without his dad’s presence but inspired by his memory.
On this Father’s Day, there are many ways to honor our fathers, as
Scripture commands us to do (Eph.
6:2). One way, even if they’re no longer with us, is to show respect
for the good values they taught us.
What can you do for your dad today to show him the kind of honor the
Bible talks about?
The best fathers not only give us life – they teach us how to live. (RBC)
