I wear a lot of different hats and go by many names, but the one I am the most proud of is dad, or pops as my kids have taken to calling me in the last couple of years.
I remember the first time Cheryl told me she might be pregnant, my heart leapt in my chest but after the initial giddiness, fear set in.
It wasn’t fear of losing the independence we had known as a married couple, nor was it a fear of the unknown really; it was a pure and unadulterated fear of knowing I did not understand the first thing about being a dad.
By this point in my life, I had known many good dads. My own dad was a great provider for my mom, two brothers and me, but the thought of being responsible for another human being scared the living crap out of me.
Any man can father a child, but it takes a special man to be a father. Having three kids has given me the opportunity to learn a lot about myself over the years. The biggest thing I’ve learned is to not sweat the small stuff; and truthfully most of everything we think is a big thing really isn’t.
I remember back when I was a teenager, one of my uncles always gave me a hard time about having long hair. He was one of those high and tight military hairstyle guys and felt every young man should wear the exact same haircut. When my oldest son Micah became a teenager and let his hair grow long, I remembered how it made me feel when my uncle would give me so much grief, and decided I wouldn’t let hair be a “big” issue.
There have been many times when I’ve failed miserably as a dad, but there have also been many times I’ve triumphed gloriously. Through the good and the bad, I’ve been diligent to make sure my kids know they can do anything God has set before them, and they cannot only just do these things, but do them well.
Being a dad doesn’t come without a little heartache too. I’ve buried one child, while gaining two others in the form of a son in law, and daughter in law who I am crazy about. I think this stage of my kid’s lives has been the most fun.
It was great walking my daughter down the aisle and giving her to a Godly man who loves her almost as much as I do. And when I watch my son with his bride, and all the laughter they share, it brings joy to my heart.
At one point I was their whole life, but now they have grown into wonderful adults who are making their own way in the world. It really makes my chest swell with pride as I see these four young people changing the world around them. This may be my best father’s day yet!
Fathers take a minute to cherish your kids whatever stage of life they’re in, and remember you will always be their dad, no matter how old they get.
Now you know what I think, what do you think?
All In A Knight's Work 