I am a father to four. Yesterday they were 11, 8, 5, and Tay was fresh out of the oven. I felt like Daddy to each of them. I just did.
Today, Jordan is 26 and married to Keturah. They live 49 states away, it seems. Andrew is 24 and headed to Scotland and then to who knows where. Krits is 21, living in Larryville and entering her senior year at KU. She is the most like me which means she’s as independent as they come and forgets to call, not because she doesn’t think about us, but simply because she’s lost in thought with those that she’s with.
Tay is still here. He’s heading into his sophomore year of high school. He now outweighs me and his two older brothers. He is most like Jordan but he’s not. He is our baby, but he’s not. He is here, I don’t want to think about him NOT…
I am a Father to four and I feel like a Daddy to none. I want to be a Daddy and a Father. I know that I am meant to be both. It’s just much harder now that they are on their own, or at least finding their own way.
Yesterday we celebrated Fathers Day, I guess, around the globe. Happy Fathers Day wishes were written and echoed by well meaning sons and daughters. If my Father was still here I would have called him Daddy and told him why.
For now, I’ll simply remind myself that Daddy and Father are the ones I want. I tend toward being more of a Father figure, not so much the welcoming, cuddly, always approachable and endearing Daddy. I’ve got some building to do. And, thankfully, God gave us the ultimate role model.
God, help me become the man that leans on your leadership, not on the quality of my followership.
God, help me…
BUILT TO LEAD 
I like this one.
I just did. So I was wondering why.
Some thoughts I have: maybe first it made me stop and think about how powerful that connection and feeling we (I ) feel toward my children. I remember the instant change I felt in my heart when I saw my first child being born. It was indescribable. I felt a love and a fight I did not know before. Four children later, complications of life and the blending of 4 more children to the fold and life gets fast and complicated. Then I start forgeting the treasure and richness of my life right in front of me. I believe our greatest legacy is our children. There are many dimensions to that of which we (fathers) do not have much control but we do. From my view the only control we have and the most powerful control we have is our LOVE. We all want and need to be loved. We want to be noticed, cared about, heard, and known really known. I, as a father, am learning this now. This is not easy for me but I know it is in my heart working its way out.
We have a great role model and an interesting mirror to this relationship through our creator, God. Unconditional love and complete freedom. no guarantees that anyone will act the way he wants, but he still just loves.
The father makes me think of the wise and only wise from time under the belt of life and the Daddy is the ‘I just want to hold you close to me”.
Brett’s wife made him a cool fathers day gift of a picture with a few verses of Psalm 127 on it;
Sons are a heritage from the Lord,
children a reward from him.
Like arrows in the hands of a warrior
are sons born in one’s youth.
Blessed is the man
whose quiver is full of them.
They will not be put to shame
when they contend with their enemies in the gate.
Psalm 127: 3-5
God is my foundation.
through my love here on earth I hope to be a foundational piece to each of my children.
I believe our children will be well armed for life, a rich life, if they know they are deeply loved.
Thanks Chet
M & Fricken M you are so deep, like a well of life. You don’t know how much you influence others, but I do. I’m one of them…