Clarence Shannon - my father
The man I knew
by Paul Shannon
What kind of man was he?
The man I knew was…
A man whose convictions were his guiding light
A man of impeccable honor…he would put duty before opportunity
A man whose morals came before his desires…
he was true to himself and his God
A man whose responsibilities came before his needs…
he would do something for you before himself
A man whose determination endlessly fueled his beliefs…
he would lean into the wind and forge ever forward against Impossible odds
A man whose beliefs came before what he could see…his vision
And faith in God was his reality
A man whose incredible vision drove his every move…
he would lead you as if he knew the beginning and the end
Quick with discipline and yet a man of unmeasurable gentleness…
he wielded a thundering velvet hand with the eyes of a Shepherd
A man whose love came without a price…
he had open arms for the black sheep and the child of honor
The constant example…he embodied correctness and honor the eyes of others
A father who taught love over hate…he would show you how to love your enemies and yourself
A man who taught discipleship over worldliness…
he would lead you to devotion rather than the perils of sin
A man who put the word of God before the voices of others…
he was not swayed by the angry crowd
A man whose meekness was only over shown by his gentle spirit…
Always humble before God he could summon the presence of the Holy Spirit with a single word.
He was a man whose guidance I will treasure forever…
he was my friend, my mentor, my guiding light, the hands on the clay vessel
That is me…he will forever live on in my heart and soul, as I try
With all that I am to be what he was best at…being my father.
[This was written by Paul Shannon, my brother.]
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