Being A Dad Is…

Today is Father’s Day.  Yep, that’s my good deed for today.  In case you forgot, today is Father’s Day.

Father’s Day is a very special day for me.  I wrote about my own father back on Memorial Day.  But, today, is a day that I really look forward to.  Being a father is one of the greatest joys of my life.  I have 3 children – ages 6, 4, and 2 – and they each impact my life in unique ways.  Besides my wife and God, they are the reason that I work as hard as I do.  Even at their “worst”, I still enjoy every minute I get with them and treasure it deeply in my heart.

Today they will take time to honor me.  At their ages, this will probably come through cards that are colored with crayons and crafts that they make for me while in Sunday School at church.  But the day is about much more than the tangible gifts I get from them.  It’s the fact that God has blessed me with 3 lives that I get to influence in a way unlike any other relationship I currently have or will ever have.  And because of this, I love the opportunity to sit back and think about the impact that this responsibility has on my heart and my life.

As I reflect on the day, I am struck by the question: Being a dad is _________________.

Being a dad is FUN.  I have a blast with my kids.  I feel that it is my role to bring laughter into our home.  Sometimes I do that by accident.  But most of the time I find that making my kids laugh is one of the funnest things I get to do each week.  And, my kids are all funny – so they make me laugh about as much as I make them laugh!

Being a dad is HARD.  It’s seriously the hardest thing I’ve ever done.  The weightiness of the responsibility of taking 3 children from infancy into adulthood can be daunting and overwhelming.  At the age they are (6, 4, and 2), they can be unpredictable, emotional, and irrational.  And, often it’s all 3 at the same time!  I’m not sure how to parent.  I’m not sure if I’m making the right decisions or if I’m wounding them for life.

Being a dad is EASY.  Ok, I know I just said it’s hard.  But, it’s also easy.  It comes easy for me to be a dad.  I enjoy being a leader and influencing others and what better way to do it then with my own children.  It isn’t “work” for me to spend time with my kids, to play with them, to teach them, and to encourage them.  Those things are easy and I love it!

Being a dad is MESSY.  I make mistakes.  A lot.  I lose my temper.  I get mad.  I let my emotions override my logic.  I get frustrated.  I don’t listen to my kids as intently as I should. I have to say I’m sorry more than I’m comfortable.  I make my kids cry.  I disappoint my kids.  It gets messy on a regular basis.

Being a dad is REWARDING.  Hearing my kids tell me that they love me is awesome.  When my kids tell me that I’m their best friend or the best dad in the world, my heart melts.  When my son hits the ball at his baseball game, I am so proud.  When my kids tell me about how they made a good choice when others weren’t at school, I feel a sense of accomplishment.

Being a dad is MY CALLING.  I believe that God has called me to be a father.  I believe that He has uniquely gifted me to raise my children and has given me the skills and talents to do it well.  I believe that when I’m parenting my children, that I’m doing ministry.  My son asked me to help him invite Jesus into his heart the other night and it was a moment that I believe God had orchestrated for me and him.

How do you fill in the blank?  How would your dad or your husband fill in that blank?  Post below and let me know…