Fathers

In anticipation of Father’s Day this Sunday I have been reflecting on the fathers that I have in my life today. I really feel so blessed by these special people and I just wanted to take a minute to share them with you!

My earthly and biological father is a true hero to me. He made the comment once that he doesn’t think he was much of a father when we were growing up and was giving my mom all the credit. And while I won’t disagree that my mom played a crucial and critical role in making me who I am today – my dad also had an important part to play as well.

I remember my dad cooking us fun Sunday morning breakfasts. Mickey Mouse pancakes with chocolate chip eyes, all the bacon we could eat and toad-in-the-holes. I think a couple of times we even made homemade donuts….back when cooking with a Fry Daddy was still the “in” thing to do!

He found ways to make the ordinary more fun. They had one of those cool apple peeler/corer things and we would pick hundreds of apples from our tree out back and then take turns at the apple machine cutting up the apples. We would sneak pieces here and there while we worked and would have stomach aches by the time we were done. Then he would cook up this huge batch of homemade applesauce that today still can’t be beat by any of the store brands.

On vacations it was “anything goes” and we played games like “I spy” or the “license plate game”. Vacations usually meant a lot of driving but also a lot of fun. He now is making memories with my kids in the same way!

Today he has a passion for missions and he and my mom both are generous to a fault. He has always wanted to take flying lessons but put that dream on hold to invest his own time and money into starting the KAH packing site in Sioux Falls. Today children in Haiti are being fed because of his selflessness.

He shares with others how God works in the most desolate of places. He is a reminder to me that God will not leave us and that regardless of where we live or what we are doing we are important to Him.

My children’s father is a man who loves our boys and takes the responsibility of a father very seriously. He is always looking for ways to teach our kids and to be an example to them.

He isn’t afraid to admit his mistakes and apologize in front of the boys, showing them that everyone makes mistakes and the honorable way to take responsibility and make amends.

He looks for teachable moments in the everyday stuff of life. He talks to Isaac about things to be aware of when driving, giving examples so that Isaac understands. He shares his wealth of knowledge about all things and engages everyone in conversation making even the longest of car rides interesting.

He has fun with the boys too, and is the first to suggest playing a card game or a board game. He is more than willing to put aside what he wants to satisfy what one of the kids might want instead. He shares his passions with them and encourages them to explore those things they might be passionate about.

And every night when the kids go to bed he goes down to pray with them. He shows them that it is important to honor God and lift up our praises and prayers to Him.

My father-in-law is a man who has welcomed me into the family from day one. He has always made me feel like I belong.

He has been supportive of both Dominic and I – even during the times when it was probably really difficult to be supportive. He celebrates in our joys and comforts us in our disappointments. He finds a way to be encouraging and positive towards us.

He is very knowledgeable about the Bible and he shares what he knows with us and with others in our church. He is a reminder that we should always keep learning about the One who created us.

My Heavenly Father has all of the best attributes of each of the others and then much, much more. Although I am so very blessed by the different fathers I have here on earth it is always comforting to know that my eternal Father is with me every moment of the day. He is someone that I can turn to in joy, in anger, in sorrow and in hope.

He has never let me down and has walked with me when I questioned Him, allowing me to understand and trust in His plan instead of my own.

He is the One who gave each of my fathers to me. He placed in my life some very special and important fathers. Fathers who all reflect in their own ways pieces of Him. Each with their own story and perspective, yet each seeking to do His will.

So I encourage you to spend time thinking about the fathers in your life. If you have the opportunity to share with them what they mean to you – please do it! And if you don’t have a relationship with the One, true Father today please consider taking that first step and ask Him to be your Father today.

Heavenly Father,
I thank you today for all of the fathers, the dads out there. I am grateful that You are the holy example of who a father should be. I admit that I have fallen short of who You would have me to be. Thank you for loving me like only a father can and for making that sacrifice in Your only Son Jesus. You provided a way for me to be with my eternal Father forever. I pray especially for anyone who doesn’t know You today. May their hearts be stirred by Your presence and may they be encouraged to seek You out. You are the giver of life. Thank you for allowing me to find life in You! Amen