leading the way

I sit here on Father's Day alone with the kids. Even though I've already celebrated with all the Dad's closest to me, I won't see any today. And they still love me and I know it. There are many a great men in my life, but there are three that have stood the test of time. All three are strangely similar and yet differ in many ways. This would be my Father, my Husband, and my Father-In-Law.

These three are all similar in one wonderful way: they are all men of God. Warriors for us and for our hearts. Loving us in Truth unconditionally. I realize today how blessed I am. Each one of these men follows God with their utmost. These men consider God before all things. They exhibit some of the same wonderful characteristics as our heavenly Father. Each one of these men has lead me to be closer to God in some way, and continue to do so.

Above all the mistakes I have made or they have made, this is the most important part of them to me. So I thank you, Tim, Jack, and Chris for pointing me in the direction I should be going. Leading in love and kindness is not always easy and you all have found some way to do just that. I thank God for providing me with such faithful, loyal, loving, humorous, embarrassingly honest, funny, genuine men. I would be blessed to just have one of them in my life, but I thank you for all three.

Our pastor at church today gave a message on child launching (not rearing, but launching). He said, "Instead of rearing, let's launch our kids into a life of victory...call out the GOLD in them." And boy, have you all done that. You tell it like it is all while encouraging us. And I'm pretty sure you've launched us (literally and figuratively). But all joking aside, thank you for being who you are and leading me the best way you know how. Let's hear it for some tributes on Father's Day!!!!

Thank you for...

sippy cups
changing diapers
playing ceaselessly
your intellect
fogiving me and my attitude
humoring my need for independence
the engineering, and tinkering you so readily enjoy
your "doing" character
your loyalty
your respect
allowing me and the kids to experience SOME danger
your no-filter honesty...otherwise who would know exactly what you are thinking?
teaching me rules...and why we follow them...even if I am loosing
healthy boundaries
challenging me to press in to God's word
humbling me and letting me see more objectively
your love of God
second chances
unconditional love.
teaching me how to ride a bike, how to ski, and how to drive...no matter how many tears were shed.

"And this is my covenant with them,"says the Lord. "My spirit will not leave them, and neither will these words I have given you. They will be on your lips and on the lips of your children and your children's children. I, the Lord, have spoken!" Isaiah 59:21

Know that you all have left your mark and it is traveling to your children's children. Thank you. I pray that my children receive this same yearning to find the gold in their children. I pray that Luke and Ben be like the Godly men that have come before them. I pray that Carolyn seeks a husband that is God leading and measures his qualities up to her father figures.

And to those of you that are not able to say the same about a father, realize this...your heavenly Father is who these men are reaching and trying to measure up to. May you find one of these men in your life...even if it's not by blood. God is reaching out to lead the men of today. Let's empower them and train them in the way of the Lord. May you find warriors for Christ and raise them as well.

And to those of you who have never fathered a child and are yearning to, I beg you to pray and see whom God brings to your doorstep. Young or old, there are fatherless children waiting to be mentored.