Father's Day

Put this on FB, thought I'd put it here as well. Not meant to stir any pots, just meant to honor my pops.

Reflecting today on what it meant to have the Dad that I did. I grew up being told I could do anything, that I could be anything. I was told this so often that I believed it. I still believe it. I will always believe it. My dad loved me enough to know when to rush in for a hug, and when to stand back and let God do the hugging. I remember so vividly him showing up the day that I had the firefighter's physical exam. I gave it everything. Finished seconds away from ascending to the next level of testing and blacking out and vomiting from the physical and emotional exhaustion I was left with. I walked sullenly to my car by myself only to see that my dad had watched the entire thing play out from the parking lot. In that moment, I needed only to be held and told that I had what it took in life, this test aside. My dad delivered in a way that I will always hold as one of the most loved moments of my life. He met me there, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Affirmed my masculinity, and immediately cauterized any wound that had just been dealt. He hugged me and told me that he loved me, and that he was proud of me. There have been dark times in my life that he didn't do this, and stood back so that I could feel and really see the light that God brought into that darkness. I know it was painful for him, because I know I'll have to do that for my kids, and that they'll be better prepared for life because of it.

So often we, as husbands and fathers believe our job is to raise our kids into good men and women. This is a noble goal, and a great part of fatherhood, but I don't believe it takes the cake. What my dad did so well, what he continues to do so well, was to teach me how to be loved by my true Father. To continually give me up to God's mercy, even when I knew it was devastatingly difficult to do. As I watch my own family grow, I find myself urgently trying to love my kids "enough". The short answer is; I can't. I will fall short, I will stumble, I will put my foot in my mouth, but when I lay in bed with Gracie and tell her that her Lord and Savior loves her heart, I know that she will always have access to the love of God. My father does that very same thing with his grandkids, and while He didn't say those same words to me, he taught them to me.

Watching him lead my family will always be the most impressive thing I've seen. He raised three completely different, completely unique children, and has nurtured a relationship with the love of his life for more than 30 years now. They're even more gross now than they were when we were kids, but I hope my kids feel more of the same when they watch me make out with their mom with wrinkled faces and hands.

 

My dad is a great man as well. How I have my Tacoma was because of him. It was his first brand new truck he ever bought coming to live in the U.S. and he gladly have it to me because I was the only liking the elder sons who love trucks.

That's the reason why I rather build my truck than trade in for a new 4x4 Tacoma.

 

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!!!

 

No pot stirring here. Happy Father's day well said!

 

Happy father's day to all dad's out there. and if you love your dad make sure he gets a prostate exam. it well could save his life. just saying.