20 Things I Learned from Dad Maxwell

• 20. The ONLY car worth buying is a Buick.
• 19. ALWAYS start the day with a hearty breakfast . . . and a burnt sausage patty.
• 18. Cutting grass and maintaining the family lawn is SERIOUS business.

  Maxwell men take great pride in a well kept yard. In fact, when Dad lived with us, he would sit on the porch to make sure BJ was cutting, planting, and raking correctly!

• 17. Maxwell men are ALWAYS right!

Now, that’s a fun one to witness when the four of them got together :)

• 16. Duct Tape. Duct tape fixes EVERYTHING!

House shoes, pool furniture, pool equipment, golf bags, and kitchen tables – to name a few. In fact, Dad even mastered the art of using duct tape to wrap presents!

• 15. All family gatherings MUST include grilled meat, deviled eggs, and multiple desserts

(one of which MUST be a pecan pie).

• 14. You are never . . . EVER . . . too full for dessert. In fact, you don’t even have to be hungry!
• 13.  Everybody needs a good buddy . . .  

“You know Earl?”

• 12. EVERY store front NEEDS the 10 commandments.

If you frequent a restaurant or store here in Millington and see the 10 Commandments, that was Dad’s doing! That was his own little mission and ministry.

• 11. A green naugahyde couch fits the décor of . . .
  

  ANY house - in ANY era - of ANY style - in ANY room.

• 10. Show hospitality.

It doesn’t matter how OLD you are, open your home to others. Dad was always housing and opening his home to family, friends, and even strangers.

• 9. Invest in the lives of others.

I often wonder if he learned this from Billie Jean. Though I never met her, Billie Jean left a legacy of love and service to others, that Dad faithfully carried on.

• 8. NEVER give up on family. ALWAYS love. ALWAYS forgive.

• 7. Time moves on whether you like it or not.

You bury friends and family. (Dad buried his parents, siblings, wife, and a son.) At some point, instead of weddings & baby showers, you will ALL be attending the funerals of those you walked decades with . . . Time moves on whether you like it or not.

• 6. Change is inevitable.

This is a hard one. But Dad handled it well (for the most part). He might have grumbled at first but the Lord would soften his heart and Dad would graciously get on board. The past 5 years Dad endured a lot of change. It was not easy but I am very proud of him.

• 5. You are never too old to learn or read your Bible.

I have many memories of Dad and BJ sitting around his breakfast table talking theology ... Or the Maxwell men talking about church & Bible at family gatherings. I LOVE those memories! I also remember Dad always had his Bible out (along with his Sunday School lesson book). He studied and read well . . . Always learning. Always growing.

• 4. Jesus is a precious Savior.

Dad and I shared burdens with another and talked a lot about Jesus. We even cried together – more times than I care to admit! (You know, he turned into quite a softie in his old age!) I absolutely loved the fact that I could go to him with anything, because I knew, after he held my hand and spoke soft, comforting words, he would always bring me back to Jesus . . . Dad helped me love Jesus more.

• 3. Be involved with the church.

You are NEVER too old to be a part of the church. I am forever grateful for the men of Adult 7 (Dad’s Sunday School class) who FAITHFULLY served, loved, and spurred one another on towards holiness.

• 2. Love your spouse while you have them.

You never know when the Lord will take your loved one home. Billie Jean was the love of Dad’s life. He CHERISHED her. Indeed, a godly spouse is more valuable than all this world has to offer. Love them well!

And finally, Dad taught us all to . . . 

• 1. Finish well.

Whether your 20, 40, or 80 . . . you finish the race well.