5 Thoughts on Father’s Day

With Father’s Day just passing I’ve had some things on my mind.

1. This was my first Father’s Day with no kids at home.  Boo.  However, it did make the call and text I got that much better.  I know that I have been outspoken about enjoying the kids being out of the house and getting closer to being “on their own,” but I do miss them and like them being around.

2. Speaking of the girls, I am extremely proud of Holley and Courtney.  They make it easy to be a proud dad as they venture out to do ministry this summer.  It’s great to know that they are having life changing experiences this summer, seeing the world through different eyes and coming to know so much more about their own walk with Christ.  It is amazing to see your little girls grow up into beautiful young women.

3. Fatherhood is under appreciated in our society.  It didn’t start with Murphy Brown and Dan Quayle, but that moment sure epitomized a movement that has continued to progress in America.  Today over 40% of children are born outside of marriage and many of these to those who have chosen to remain single.  One of the unintended results of exalting the single mother role as a legitimate lifestyle choice instead of an unintended life circumstance is that the role of dads has been diminished.  Men have responded as you might expect, they have abandoned their role as fathers, assuming wrongly that they aren’t needed. 

4. There are lots of kids who need a father figure.  I think one of the hardest and most important role in the world is that of the step-dad or foster dad.  It’s tough to step into a situation where your presence may not be wanted or appreciated and be a father to kids in need.  When your kids are born you begin with a lot of good feeling chips.  These chips can be multiplied by good parenting or thrown away with poor parenting.  But as a step or foster parent you don’t get to start with many chips and earning them is really tough.  Those kids need strong role models, loving care and compassion with principled discipline.  Men in those situations must be willing to earn chips over a long time with principled, loving parenting and forgo the temptation to earn chips with indulgence.

and finally, 5. I love my Dad!

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5 Things as the Summer Begins

1. We are back from vacation and ready to get on with the summer.  It was not a normal kind of vacation as we traveled some and stayed home some, but the trips were varied.  Julie and I spend Memorial Day with our girls and some of Holley’s friends at the lake.  We had a great time with them as they started their summer .  Then we came home for a couple of days before going to Abilene for my parent’s 50th Wedding anniversary celebration.  Then back home for a couple of days before going to Austin for Juile’s parent’s 50th Wedding anniversary celebration.  That’s right, our parents were married one week apart 50 years ago.  What a great legacy they have given us.

2. We went to Richland-Chambers Lake near Corsicana for Memorial Day.  That’s a nice lake, the 3rd largest in Texas, with great open water and only a few boats.  The boats were limited because the lake is 6 feet low and many of the boat docks were out of the water.  In fact, there was only one boat ramp still in the water.  We may not see it as much here in the Houston area, but much of Texas is still in moderate and severe drought conditions.  Lord, send rain.

3. I have come to a realization about how a marriage could last for 50 years.  I shared this with my parents and they agreed.  The secret to a long lasting and happy marriage is simple: Have perfect children.  :))))

4. ETC Student Camp is only 2 WEEKS AWAY!  This is going to be a great week as we find HOPE in the Lord.  I can’t wait to see all that the Lord will do through Aaron Wagner leading worship and Gary Witherall preaching and ministering God’s word. 

5. My hope this summer is to enjoy the summer.  It seems that often we get so caught up in the events that come, one after another, that we lose the joy of the summer.  I’m determined to get all my work done and still take time to relax and enjoy the beautiful summer weather.  That means some time on the lake with the kids, on the course with my clubs and taking walks with the love of my life.  It’s June 10, no time to waste waiting on the good days to come.

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