Happy Birthday, Dad!
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
"You know, I've never understood what's so bad about being a cowboy. I'm proud of my spurs. I've often said there's nothing better for the inside of a man than the outside of a horse." – Ronald Reagan
I shared recently about the various heroes I have had in my life, starting with the four best players on the New York Yankees when I was a boy. Mel Stottlemyre gave the Bronx Bombers a good chance to win every time he took the mound, while Bobby Murcer, Roy White, and Thurman Munson got the job done on offense.
From there, I gravitated to golfing greats such as Jack Nicklaus who, at age 83, can still shoot his age on courses as challenging as Augusta National and Muirfield Village. I admire the way Jack has balanced his family and his Hall of Fame career. In fact, Jack would be the first to say that his 62-year marriage to Barbara, their five children, and their dozens of grandchildren are more important to him than his record 18 majors.
Once I became of voting age, I pledged my political allegiance to the greatest president of my lifetime: Ronald Wilson Reagan. His boundless optimism and good-natured conservatism still influence me to this day.
I have had other heroes over the years including my spiritual mentors. A few of them I have had the privilege of knowing personally but others – such as George Whitefield and Charles Surgeon – I will have to wait until I get to heaven to gain their acquaintance.
However, when it’s all said and done, one man (other than Jesus Himself) has had a more profound influence on my life than any other. That man would be my dad, William Alfred Glading, who taught me that hard work and dedication to one’s family can and should go hand-in-hand.
Happy 99th Birthday in Glory, Dad!
“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
