Dads
Posted by Chaplain Campbell. Filed in Families, Life Lessons, Parents, Stories |
My teenage sense of self was crying out for a boost when my brother was invited to go on a weekend hunting trip and I was not. My pain spilled over into sadness, disgust, and clamor.
When my parents inquired as to the trouble, I explained how I felt, and before long something powerful happened. My Dad changed his plans and took me, me alone, to Loon Lake on a day-long fishing trip.
Please understand that my Dad was a busy pastor of a growing church. Saturdays are not normally good days for pastors to be out and about, because so much has to be ready for the big day on Sunday. But my Dad sacrificially gave his time, energy, and plans to care for his son on that drizzly Saturday so long ago.
We drove for almost two hours and then rented a row boat. I didn’t know much about rowing, but Dad showed me how you have to coordinate the right and left paddles to keep the boat on a straight course.
We put our lines in the water…for a long time…but caught no fish. In fact, we didn’t even get a bite! But it didn’t matter.
What mattered to me was that my Dad gave something very precious indeed: his time, effort, and schedule to make a special day with me. One I will never forget.
It wasn’t what we did that day, it was that we did…most anything at all. I felt special, prized, valued, and loved. It was the kind of love that was similar to Mom’s love, and yet different.
He wore the old leather outdoor jacket…I can still smell the worn leather. His strong arms showed me how to row a straight course for our little craft. He joked and talked as we drove. And we spent some time in silence (definitely not something Mom would have allowed!).
Why is all this important?
Because kids need to know their Dads love them. Dads will display love a bit differently from Moms at times, but it is important that kids have that loving attention.
I understand this more fully now that my own children are grown and I’m about to become a grandfather. Some things my kids tell me that they learned from me I barely remember. Influence may be a good word for a Dad’s type of love for his children.
Interestingly, there are many parallels with the Bible’s description of a loving and strong and just and merciful Heavenly Father.
Could it be that we who are privileged to be fathers are meant to ever-so-dimly and imperfectly reflect the image of the Heavenly Father?
Strength and compassion. Demand and forgiveness. Challenge and encouragement. Work and play. Seriousness and laughter.
Dads, your kids need you. We all need you.
Imperfect, sure. Needed, absolutely!
Take a minute to reflect on what influence you do have. Strength, security, and sacrifice will be noticed.
Thanks for being who you are, Dad!
Tags: children, Dad, Families, Family, Father, Father's Day, fathers, fishing, Parents, relationships
Monday, December 7th 2009 at 1:16 pm
I agree with this story. Children really need to feel that special love and support from their Dad. I have noticed that it is very challenging for some of our “A” personallity dads to realize the importance of this conection. They feel as long as they are working and supporting the family financially that the wife or mother of the child shouldn’t have anything to complain about.