Thoughts about Dad and Being a Daddy...

I've had several things happen over the past couple of days that have me thinking a lot right now about fatherhood. Between getting to be a stay at home dad for the past week during Spring Break, to some readings I've been doing online, to mom and her devotional moments; the topics of being a dad and my own great dad have been on my mind.

Mom called me Friday morning and asked a simple question, if I'd ever realized what a great dad that I had. I said that of course I'd realized it, and I think I've communicated with Dad how much I respect and love him for the dedication and love he showed to us growing up. We talked then about how it had come up in her devotions, how a godly man is a blessing to his family. And I think we've definitely been blessed by Dad.

But then again today, I was reading an article about struggle, about faith that gets caught between the kingdom of God and ugly realities of the way people treat each other here on earth. The author of the article was noting how he cannot identify with people who have had serious questions of their faith, who have struggled and had major difficulties. He says how he's never gone through a "crisis of faith" and attributes that to the steadfast love of his father. It made it so much easier to envision the love of God.

I have to echo that about my dad. His steadfast love certainly has given me a true picture of what God's love must be like. And because of this, I've never really questioned that God is good, and that God loves us. And I don't mean to leave Mom out here. I know that two parents loving us together really made everything complete.

So that has left me thinking about being a dad. I have started to realize that Gideon will learn about God through me (and Courtney). The ways in which I act toward him will start to form the image that he has of his Heavenly Father. That's a scary responsibility, but not one that is overwhelming. And the reason it's not overwhelming is because I've grown up and still have an example of how to do it.

So thanks dad, and mom, for providing all of us with a picture of a loving God, a proper view of how the world should be! Courtney and I look forward to living in your example as we love our son.