My Father, Wallace Barwick is a good man. He has lived his life in service to Christ and has been a true christian as long as I have known him. When people ask me who my father is and I reply Wallace Barwick, a knowing look of respect and admiration spreads across their face and is often followed by a story of how he helped them at some time or another and what a good man he is. My proud response is always "thank you, I feel the same way." With father's day approaching I have spent the last few days reflecting on my "Daddy" and some of the valuable lessons he has taught me. Here is the short list:
1) Put God 1st in your life and keep Him there.
    Sunday school teacher, Choir director, Pastor's councilman, sunday school superintendent, usher, church custodian, special singer, choir member, men's fellowship president...you name it, my Dad has done it or is still doing it. Even at 75 years of age he is still active in church and holding several of the above positions. I can remember seeing him come in from pulling two shifts at work(16 hours) at our local pulp mill, shower and put on his suit and go to church. Not one time, many times. Why? Because God is 1st and we will give Him our best effort at all times. He has been faithful to me and the least I can do is be faithful to Him. Daddy always has said, "Son, if you get an opportunity to do something for God, do it!" 
2) Love your wife, no matter what.
   My mother has been ill most all of my life. I've watched my Dad go quietly about the house doing those things that needed to be done--cooking, washing dishes, laundry, vacuuming..... When Mom wasn't able, Dad did it. He didn't complain or grumble. It was his responsibility. When illnesses seemed endless and hospital/medical bills piled up, when kids needed tending to plus the relentless stress of shift work wore on him; he didn't give up. Lesser men would have thrown in the towel. Weaker men would've said it's too much! Not my Dad. Always blessed with good health, he seems to delight in his ability to assist Mom in any way. Faithfulness. Devotion. Til death do us part. Love.....leading to the next lesson.
3) Love is more than a feeling, love is sacrifices.
  How much did I see my Dad sacrifice over the years. Instead of squirrling money away for retirement or some new "toy", I've seen my Dad work 2 jobs just to save up enough money to take us on a vacation. I've watched him pull icy nets from frigid waters as his hands cracked and bled. Not for himself, but to make extra money by selling the fish he caught so that we(Mama, Lori and I) could have better than he was afforded. I have seen him place personal desires, goals, health, rest, and feelings on the back burner for me. Love is not just a feeling, love gets up when your body is aching with 103 degree fever and hard chills and punches a clock so your kids can have food to eat and clothes to wear. Love is a committment. 
4) Always treat people the way you would want them to treat you.
  I used to get angry with my Dad. If he had anything worth something, he would often end up giving it away or selling it for much less than it was worth. I would mutter to myself and sometimes scold him. "Daddy! Why are you giving that away, it's worth ______ amount!"  Daddy would say something his Dad had taught him. "I would rather give a man a dollar than cheat him out of a dime." I used to feel bad for my Dad. I used to think he should have saved more money, invested more. Then things wouldn't be so tight for Mom and him now. But ,then I  learned the next lesson....
5) Money isn't the way you measure success.
   The scripture written above, Proverbs 22:1 has been proven through my Dad's life. Money is just something you spend or give away but true wealth is earned through a life of honesty, faithfulness and charity. My Dad may not have amassed a monetary fortune, but he is one of the richest men I know. The number of people who call him "friend" is staggering. How did he acquire so many friends? By showing himself friendly. He has passed to me a "good name" and through a righteous life, Godly favor. In the end, you can't take one red cent with you. It's what you leave behind that measures your wealth--your legacy. What a wonderful , godly, legacy my Dad has built over the years and continues to build. He is one of the richest men I know.

  There are many men I admire and respect, but apart from Jesus Christ, my hero is my Daddy, James Wallace Barwick. A prince among men. Happy father's day Dad!! I love you.