A Hero of a Dad

It's nearly bedtime when we find our spots on the couch. The warm sunlight fading to dusky gray. The air is warm and the birds sing outside the window. He opens his bible, Phillipians. He starts to read. Sweet girl interrupts. He tries to continue. The words he reads are different from hers. She doesn't understand. She flips and flops on the couch. She cannot get settled. He reads from her Bible. She talks, distracts. He bows his head in frustration. It is now bedtime and all he's managed to read is the first verse of the passage.

It feels like a flop. But it wasn't.

Does a Father see his value? Does he see how his son, his daughter look at him, up to him?

They don't care how right you get it. They don't complain when it isn't perfect. Dad is a hero, without doing anything really. Just by showing up, being interested.

I look at this man. His calloused hands. Gray specks growing into his five o'clock shadow. I have known him since first grade. Thirteen years married, I know him. I see the weak spots, I hear the self-doubt. I wish he could see what I see. What our children see.

A man of integrity...
The righteous who walks in his integrity– blessed are his children after him! (Proverbs 20:7)

…who loves the Lord.
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

A leader and teacher…
And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. (Deuteronomy6:6-9)

…respected and loving.
And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. (Malachi 4:6)

A Daddy who loves their Mommy…
Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

…who appreciates the blessing of his children.
Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate. (Psalms 127:3-5)

And that's only the surface of the man we see and know.

Happy Father's Day to a man who tries exceedingly hard to love, care, provide, encourage, and support his family. To a man that doesn't need to be the best, most perfect, Superman of a Dad in order to be a hero to his kids or appreciated by his wife. You are doing the best that you can, that's enough for us!