If there’s one thing I know deeply and to my core, it’s that you Fathers can change the world.
Birth fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, father figures, spiritual fathers. You may take on different forms, but you serve a role in the lives of the children you love.
One that is necessary and irreplaceable.
We won’t get into the statistics here, but you know what they say.
They say that your children need you. They need you to teach them and mould them. They need to watch you treat their mothers and grandmothers with respect. They need to watch you work and provide for your family. They need you to interact with the world and show a Godly love to all those around you.
Because without you, they’re missing part of the equation.
After all, whose going to toss them in the air high enough to make mom sweat if not you?
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Us moms can be stressed with the details…chew with your mouth closed and say “excuse me” after you burp.
It’s up to you to tell them that it’s okay to say “it wasn’t me” after a particularly nasty belch at the dinner table and laugh about it. And to smash a dinner roll between your palms to make the kids laugh.
Life can be short and tough, and you teach them that it’s okay to laugh and be irreverent sometimes.
To them, you are a role model and superhero.
You can build a house and bake a cake with them. You can correct them when they’ve done wrong and teach them how to do right.
You can fix a car, play the guitar, plant a garden, or tell a joke with a good pun.
But in the end, it doesn’t matter what your talents are. To your children, you are love and strength and protection.
A good laugh and a great teacher.
I know you feel like you mess up sometimes. Let’s be honest, we all do and you are no exception.
After you mess up, though, you are brave enough to apologize. Your apology will mean much more to them than the screw-up ever could.
If you’ve ever felt low and worthless, just know your kids don’t see you that way. They watch you pick yourself up and keep moving even when times are hard. Seeing you stand in the storm will ensure they can stand when they face their own storm.
It’s okay if you don’t always know the right answer. I’m pretty sure us parents are ‘winging it’ most of the time, anyways.
Just do the best you can…they’ll survive.
And seeing you pray and ask God for direction is more important than seeing you make up the wrong answer.
Did I mention that us Moms need you, too?
Just to be clear, it’s not just your kids who need you.
When we panic or over-react, your moderate influence keeps us steady. Thanks for reminding us that the world doesn’t end if the teenager is a little moody today!
And when we don’t know the right answer, we are thankful to be able to say, “Go ask your dad.” At least we don’t have to be the bad guy 100% of the time.
I can guarantee we don’t tell you enough how much we need you.
When you dress up silly or snuggle with them or bake with them, it makes us melt. Your endless love for your children are exactly what makes you perfect in our eyes.
Oh, and nothing is quite as attractive as a dad. It makes our hearts flutter.
So I guess what I’m saying here is, THANK YOU!
Thank you for being here for your children and for us.
Thank you for teaching lessons that we can’t or don’t.
Thank you for laughing and having fun with your kids…
…And for being serious and stern when it’s necessary.
Thank you for your Godly leadership and your calming influence.
Thank you for helping create the next generation of men and showing the next generation of women how they should be loved.
Thank you for changing the world, one child at a time.
Don’t forget it. Pin it!
