I already ranted about Mother's Day here, so I'll try to
spare you from Bitter, Part Deux.
For the most part though, I feel the same about
Father's Day as I do about Mother's Day… that it's sort of exclusive and
selective and celebrates an ideal that nobody really lives up to, making the
fatherless and non-fathers somehow less honored.
But I'm a lot more torn in my affections today because despite
the sea of broken hearts from broken lives left by broken daddies in so many of
the people around me, there are also so many amazing men I want to honor, men
who give me hope that even in the brokenness, there are moments of heaven on
earth in the form of strong hands and tender hearts.
I consider my greatest gift in the world to be my front-row
seat to the effect of my husband's love in my kiddos' lives. Truly. Ryan is
many amazing and wonderful things, but at the top of the list, he is a daddy
who drops all pretenses, sheds all expectations, and loves his children wildly
and well. I don't know what my children's futures will hold but I know they
will rest surely in the love of their daddy, a man who allows skeptics like me
to be able to even fathom the love of a perfect and holy heavenly Papa.
He delights in his children and teaches me how to do the
same. He loves me well and teaches them what marriage can and should be. He
respects and honors me and my voice, and I'm so very grateful that my daughter
is growing up strong and confident because her worth as a daughter is confirmed
and encouraged every day in her life.
My sons see that the strength and power of a man is often on
its best display in the tiny moments… a
midnight diaper change, an ice cream
date, a tickle war, a towel around the shoulders, a goodnight hug.
They know
that a strong man speaks gently but stands firmly, loves deeply, and acts
rightly.
Thank you, Ryan, for being what I never even knew existed…
for modeling a whole and holy love over our children and our family. Thank you,
readers who are fathers and readers who are raising future fathers.
Your work
is vital and the moments matter. You are an embodiment of our heavenly Daddy
and your influence is profound.
Happy Father's Day.
