Tomorrow is Father’s Day.  I am blessed to have a wonderful and loving father. 

I would like to share this poem in honor of my father, Kenneth Wayne Savage, otherwise affectionately known as “Skip”.  The poem was written by Clifford Lewis and published in a book entitled “Victory Poems”.  This book belonged to my beloved grandfather, Verl Snyder. 

The Living Sermon

“I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day,

I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way;

The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear,

Fine counsel is confusing, but example is always clear;

The best of all the fathers are the men who live their creeds,

For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it, if you’ll let me see it done,

I can watch your hands in action, your tongue too fast may run;

The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true,

but I’d rather get my lessons by observing what you do;

I may not understand the high advice you give,

But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.”

Dad, thank you for being my living sermon and teaching me by example.  You are an honorable man who taught your children to be honorable people.  You have taught us how to give back by observing you as you served your family, your church, and your community.  Thank you for making your children your priority and for all the wonderful memories we have made and shared through the years.  I thank God he blessed me with you as my father.  

Happy Fathers Day,

Shelli Abel