Happy Father’s Day

(I’m going about this all backward. My dad doesn’t use social media at all. He doesn’t even have any social media accounts. If he knows about this blog, it’s only because my mom tells him about it. But my mom, on the other hand, uses all of the above and I know she reads my blog. Sorry, Mom. I should have posted for Mother’s Day. I love you.)

I guess I always knew parenting came with challenges, but as I’ve felt very hurt the last several days by things that have been said, I’ve come to realize that sometimes, it comes with more than just challenges. I think of the things I did that must have hurt my parents deeply. I sure wish I could spend this day with them to celebrate all they have done for me through the years. They never gave up on me.

We all tease about how much my dad doesn’t listen and how loud he is. But the truth is, he’s always been easy to talk to. We’ve always been able to have fun. And when he gives a compliment, it is well thought out and sincere, which really gives it a lot of value. I didn’t even know until yesterday that he called me the weekend my book released. I had the sweetest voicemail from him. To know that in his eyes, I’m a success for publishing my novel. Y’all have to know I cried when I listened to his message and I’m crying now writing this.

He’s a good grandpa, too. It is absolutely a treasure to my heart to watch him play with my kids, to hear how he babysits my nephews, and to listen to him talk about how proud he is of each of his grandkids.

Thank you, Dad. I love you. Happy Father’s Day.

I can’t help but talk about my husband today, too. He’s a good dad. He works hard. I hope our kids grow up and say he was easy to talk to. Even though that seems like an odd thing to say because we already joke that he never listens to us. He makes things fun and he helps us all find things to laugh about. I love the way our little girls wrap him up in big bear hugs and kiss his cheeks. I love how our youngest son tries to be like him, and how he gets excited to see his dad or explain something to him.

My heart aches over how challenging the teen relationships are in this season. I pray often for them to recognize his love for them. I guess I was hard on my dad those years, too. I hope they come around sooner than later. It gives me hope because the oldest talks to him often. When social distancing isn’t such a thing, we’ll get to have dinners again. I look forward to that.

Thank you, my dearest. You’re a good dad and a good stepdad. I love you. Happy Father’s Day.

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” Luke 11:11-13 NLT

I am thankful for a daddy who gives good gifts, and a husband who gives good gifts to his children. I pray that our kids grow up and know God more and understand verses like this deeply because of the way their father and grandfather lived.

Until next time,