For as long as I can remember, my dad would send my sisters and I off to school with the same words.
“Have a good day. I love you. Shine.”
This ritual began after Dad overheard a rather heated argument about what should be the last thing you tell your kids before they go to school. The thought stuck with him and he decided that he wanted my sisters and I to know three things everyday.
1. Have a good day. The choice to have a good day is ours. In my dad’s words, “if you’re a grumpus-shlumpus, you’re going to have a bad day.”
2. I love you. This is pretty obvious. Dad wanted each of us to understand that regardless of what was happening, he loved us.
3. Shine. This comes from Matthew 5: 14-16. Jesus is in the middle of his Sermon on the Mount and he instructs his followers to let their light shine. My dad wanted to encourage us to let the light of Christ shine in us and through us.
So, what’s the best advice your dad has given you? Comment below and share the wisdom.
Kate G. Jameson 