Integrity – Intentional and Unintentional

Good morning!  Kathy Wright here to say we’ve hijacked today’s message away from Kent as part of a Father’s Day celebration.  It is my pleasure to introduce Aaron Stroman, Kent’s son.  I’m thrilled he was willing to share some insight about Kent Stroman, the father.

Today’s post is not written by Kent Stroman, it is written about Kent Stroman.

Father and son.

Let me introduce myself, I am Aaron Stroman, the firstborn and only son of Kent.  I developed a high level of respect for my father as I was growing up under his roof.  My parents parented me well.  Like most young children, my upbringing wasn’t always pleasant and joyful.  I had to go through growing pains as I learned what it meant to be mature, responsible, ethical, and loving.  I needed much correction and discipline throughout my younger years and my dad was always there to make those corrections possible.

However, more than the intentional times of parenting, the biggest lessons I learned from my father was watching him live out his everyday life.  My dad is a man of integrity.  He does what is right when no one is looking (and when he thinks no one is looking).  By living a life of integrity, he was unintentionally parenting me.  I noticed when he picked up trash that he didn’t throw down.  I noticed when he turned in cash he found that wasn’t his.  I noticed when he made the difficult decision when it didn’t benefit him.  When it came to my dad fathering me, more was caught than taught.

It’s my joy to honor my father today.  Happy Father’s Day dad!  I love you and I’m so grateful for you.  I’m grateful for the times past when you intentionally and unintentionally taught me what it means to be a man of God.  I’m grateful for our weekly Thursday morning phone conversation and prayer times.  I’m grateful that I have two children who get to experience you as a grandfather.

Here’s my encouragement for everyone today.  Let’s not forget that the greatest legacies our lives can leave are built by daily decisions of integrity.  I think too often we can overvalue a sermon under a spotlight and undervalue decisions of integrity hidden in the shadows.  The life lived is more important than the words spoken.

Sincerely,

Aaron Stroman