As we are about to dedicate two more sons to the Lord at our church on Father's Day, I am prompted to reflect on the "fathers" in my life. I am blessed to have several who are near and dear to my heart.
The first is, of course, my Dad (Gary). He has been a constant spiritual and emotional strength in my life. My dad, as many know, often shows love and care through acts of service. He will stop whatever he is doing to help a neighbor with a car repair or any other household problem. He has brought many people to our church, and I don't just mean invited them, but he picks them up and drives them to church. When I was younger, his love manifested itself in working several jobs to pay tuition for private school and in him switching his schedule to be at all of my basketball games. He was always at school events, which is why my former classmates still recognize him when they see him. Now my Dad, who still has three young children at home, takes the time to make sure we have wood to burn in the winter to help save our heating cost. He calls and checks up on me and Donny, to make sure we're doing OK physically and spiritually. And I KNOW he prays for us faithfully. There's so much more I could say about you, Dad, so much in my heart, but I'll just focus on this one aspect of your love this time :)
Then there is my "Step dad", Greg. (I can't believe someone hasn't come up with a better term yet.) He has been in my life since I was 6. I have never felt like anything less than his daughter. Greg has always shown me love and support. I know that he too prays for us and supports us as we seek to raise our children in a way that honors the Lord. I am so blessed by how he brings my mom up to see us anywhere from one to three times a month, regardless of gas prices or how tired he is. Thank you.
My grandfather, "Pop", always has been and always will be a very important part of my life. Even though he is no longer with me physically, he will always be "with" me. He was so much more than a grandfather. I spent over a quarter of my life living with him and my grandmother, so he also helped support me emotionally and financially. Pop NEVER missed an important moment in my life. Whether it was preschool graduation, a basketball award dinner or even the chance to take pictures of me before prom. Pop was always there. One of my greatest joys was seeing him with my oldest child, T.J. Gram and I always wonder what he would say now, looking at me with FIVE children. (He would have no room to talk, though, since he and Gram had EIGHT :) He was a wonderful man and I am so thankful for all of the time I had with him.
And last, but certainly not least, the father of my children, Donny. Before we were married, I pictured him as a wonderful husband and I knew that he was good with kids, but I never imagined what a great dad he would be. Our children ADORE him. There are many projects around the house that he would like to do, or days when he would rather just rest, but those things will have to wait because he knows that his children need him more and he would rather show them care and attention. The kids demonstrate all day long how highly they think of him. They ask me numerous times, "When is Daddy coming home?"; they think about him and pray for him throughout the day; they greet him enthusiastically as soon as he walks through the door. Why? Because he is a loving, caring, fun and all around excellent daddy. He's not just fun, but he seeks to instill godly wisdom into their lives. It is not unusual for them to have a deep discussion about God or heaven before bed. Oh, and bedtime is a VERY special time with Daddy. He puts the older three children to bed every night (unless he has a meeting). They start by singing "Jesus Loves Me", then they each take turns praying, then Daddy tells them some elaborate story involving Mario or Dora or Batman, depending on who the kids pick that night. I often look at our gang and say, "Wow. Four Boys. What was God thinking?". But I know what He was thinking. He was thinking that Donny would be a wonderful example for them to emulate and so, the more the merrier :) I also have no fears about his relationship with our daughter. Having been so close to my dad, I, of course, want the same for them. I have no doubt that he will continue to show her the love and attention he does now. She is definitely "Daddy's little girl". Donny, thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father and for exceeding my expectations. I love you more and more each day.
I am also blessed to have a wonderful father-in-law, brothers-in-law and uncles who are a very special part of our lives. I truly am grateful for all of these men and I am so thankful that our sons have such godly, humble and loving men to look up to.
