I watched my husband from a strictly “father” standpoint the other day. In the morning he awakened our three boys (note: perilous action) to work with him to install a hardwood floor. Before leaving he had them watch a spiritual message on the computer and pray together. After a day of bantering with them at lunch, and alternating between praising their work and booting them in the bum (figuratively?), he arrived home for a quick dinner. He held our newborn in his arms, cooing and smiling, and then changed a diaper while I fixed a dinner plate for him. Then it was out the door to fulfill a church assignment visiting and counseling others. By the time he got home, he had a few minutes to catch up with the kids, then family prayer, and some time for him and I before we both fell fast asleep.
Dads are amazing. When I look at all these good family men do, I often wonder—where’s the perk? Where’s the sport’s car, the big hunting trips, and the time with their wives that they yearn to have? It’s more often an older SUV, attending a son’s scout camp, and a quick kiss to their wives before going to the next event.
Have you told your husband today what a wonderful father he is? Maybe he doesn’t take out the garbage. Maybe he leaves dirty socks by his bedside. Or maybe he brings you a humongous outdoor potted plant for Mother’s Day because he left it to the last minute and discovered all the romantic flowers were cleaned out (not speaking from personal experience on this one. At all.) But most men are hard-working, love their family, and try to be there for their children. In this day and age, that is solid gold.
Fathers have influences they don’t even know. With daughters, their attention helps girls avoid eating disorders, depression, and early sexual activity. With sons, they give them confidence, problem-solving skills, and model real manhood and savvy in dealing with daily life problems.
I invite you today to give your husband or father of your children a note, hug, or kiss to thank him for all he does to keep fatherhood forefront. He may not be perfect, but that was never the goal. It’s that he is involved, that he cares, and that he tries.
Lastly, a heartfelt THANK YOU to all who participated in yesterday’s Book Bomb. Partial proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Network, I’m so excited! Caribbean Crossroads rankings on Amazon went from about 72,000 to 2,700—amazing! All thanks to support from you, bloggers, family and close friends, and techie genius Jill Holmes, and event organizer, Rachelle Christensen. Thank you for making this so successful!
Meanwhile, give the dad in your life a love this weekend—he needs the reminder!
Best,
Connie
P.S. Great job ladies on the 8-week Challenge! Our family is loving it—keep up the super progress.
