Fathers Day and What it Takes to be a Good Dad
It was earlier morning around 4:00 AM on a Thursday 28th of January as I drove to the hospital for the birth of my first child. The ground was frozen and the sky was spitting snow flurries. I was excited with anticipation of the pending birth. I wasn’t allowed to be in the delivery room and had to stay in the waiting room. Several hours later the doctor came out with the good news of a healthy baby girl. The joys of fatherhood is such an experience that words cannot even describe how great it feels to be a Father.
Six years later it was Sunday October 2nd summer was over, but it was still a very warm in the middle of the day. Once again driving to the hospital the excitement was overwhelming. After arriving at the hospital we were sent to a delivery room, and this time I was allowed to stay in the room for the birth. The room had one bed and a television to help pass the time. How the rules for a father’s participation at childbirth had changed in 6 years. Watching television on a Sunday in October meant I was able to watch American Football while waiting for the delivery to take place. I thought this was a great way to pass the time, but not paying attention to your wife, while she is labor is not the best idea. Several hours later I was blessed with another healthy baby girl, and I was the one holding her when she opened her eyes for the first time. What a special moment in my life.
Four years later it was Wednesday on the 25th of September. Once again I found myself traveling to the hospital in the middle of the night. It was very hot for the month of September, but peaceful and quiet as we arrived at the hospital. Once again we were provided a delivery room with one bed. Just a couple of hours after arriving I was blessed with another healthy baby girl. The excitement was still just as strong as the birth of my first daughter. Holding your child for the first time and looking into their eyes is a priceless connection. It is very special moment in time, which stays with you for the rest of your life.
Today is Fathers Day, a day I cherish each year, and I give thanks for all my children every day. Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating the influence fathers have on families and our society. Many countries celebrate Fathers Day, but not all on the same day of the year. On July 19, 1910, the governor of the U.S. state of Washington proclaimed the nation’s first “Father’s Day. During that timethe movement to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same passion as Mothers Day. Maybe the reason was it did have the same appeal to retailers. It was many years later until it was made a permanent national holiday when President Richard Nixon signed it into law in 1972. (1)
The gift of a child is one of GOD’S greatest gifts outside of the gift of salvation. It comes with a great responsibility providing food and shelter for them. More important taking the time share experiences, life lessons, special moments, and emotions. My favorite part of being a father is watching them grow into a wonderful adults. I was only 20 years old when I had my first child. Looking back in time that seems young to be a Father, but God is faithful, and guided me through the trials of fatherhood. God is so faithful that anyone who seeks Him can find Him. Faith is a gift, I now realize even a gift must be opened to be enjoyed. As I implemented my faith in Jesus, I begin to realize more about God’s faithfulness in my life and the strength he provided me for rising my children. I know I wasn’t always a perfect Father, but my hope is that I continued to improve as I grew older and wiser. Happy Fathers Day to all the dads.
May this find you well and happy, God Bless
References:
(1) “Fathers-Day” http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/fathers-day Retrieved June 21, 2015
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