Chris Johnson-Founder of Be the Gift is my dad. I asked if I could honor him on Father's Day with this article. There are numerous things I could say about my dad. He has inspired me in so many ways. Growing up, my dad always installed into my brother Andrew and me the idea of serving. This included helping friends and family, fundraisers, helping out at church, and doing anything for someone just to make their day better. My dad was a youth pastor for many years before starting Be the Gift and the amount of youth and families he impacted during that time was remarkable. Those (young adults now) still say that what he imparted to them has shaped the person they are today. He would encourage, motivate, teach and love them. He taught all of us how to give with generosity and a humble heart. He is great at bringing out the best in people. Some things haven't changed as he is still doing that today,  with Be the Gift.  

One big life lesson my dad has always said to me is to run my life the way God has set out for me and see how everything lines up with that. A big part of doing this is to give my time and who I am to others who need it. He also taught me how to be selfless. I believe we can make much more of a difference in life if we focus our attention on other people and not on ourselves. Watching my dad run every day to help others and my family is refreshing and admirable. There was nothing lacking in mine and my brother's life growing up and I still see him doing that in the lives of the Single Mom families he helps with Be the Gift.

Being able to have Chris Johnson as my father is truly one of the biggest blessing and someone I am honored to call "Daddyo" as I like to say. Thank you for all the life lessons and everything you have been and continue to be for me. Happy Father's day to one of my favorite people. I pray you are blessed and cannot wait to see more lives impacted in the future. Love you, Katie