A Few Good Men on Father's Day

                                                                                  

A good father may be hard to find. Did you have one? I didn't especially but I live with one now. Hope you do too. 

A great father...think of the potential...the influence that goes on and on for many generations to come. 

A Few Good Men on Father's Day - an endangered species - so all the more to be treasured.

So much rests on their broad shoulders. The sad truth is they are not usually aware of their full impact. Society doesn't tell them so. Social media doesn't tell them so. TV shows depict the man of the house as the dunce of the house. Dads are the brunt of jokes in far too many scenarios. We have stooped low. We stoop no more!

We don't call the dad of our house "brainless" as sitcoms do. We still often scratch our heads in wonder of how his brain thinks....or doesn't think.  Men love to go into that "nothing box" and think of...well...nothing. They do this often. Too often in our opinion. We don't get it and get frustrated by it. Our brains are going at light speed every second of our day and even through the night. Theirs, not so much.

Yes, how our man thinks - or doesn't think - often causes us frustration. Frustrations and all, we have a prize if we have a man in our house. Yes, he has a prize too, but it works both ways!

Why is Father's Day so minimally celebrated in comparison to Mother's Day?

Maybe it's because far too many dads leave the house chasing dreams or that cutie at the office. Many forfeit much for a little. They feel regret one day but that one day is too far away to make a difference today.

I get it for the delinquent dad but what about for the devoted dad?

We can be the one to make a difference today. Let's celebrate with exuberance the dad in our house. Let's give him the credit he is due in spite of his long list of mistakes, mishaps, and imperfections. First of all, we must throw out that list! Next we realize we have shortcomings too and don't want anyone to hold them against us. So, let's extend the grace we long to receive to a few good men......especially on Father's Day.

This man was once the "man of our dreams." There was a lot of good in there or smart us wouldn't have picked him in the first place! We did so above all others. After a few years go by, it may take an act of the will to focus on those charming qualities that once won us over. That's a better way to live than to focus on idiosyncrasies that drive us batty! He's not perfect, but aren't we glad we don't have to be perfect either!

Studies show the potential implications on a home without a dad presence. This influences emotional well-being, at-risk behavior, poverty level, school dropout rate, GPA level, sexual activity, sociability, and confidence among others. The statistics are staggering and must be taken to heart. Dads must no longer be put down but lifted up for the value they bring to the table....to literally the kitchen table!

Please do not let this discourage you if there is not a dad in your home. God's got that and God's got you! He is a "father to the fatherless." My purpose is to light a fire under those of us that do! Me too!

I heard many years ago a teaching I have not been able to forget. The reality-shaking truth was my husband is to be my #1 ministry. I didn't like hearing that then and don't particularly like being reminded of that now. Once I heard it, I was held accountable for it. Sorry, but now you are as well. While newlyweds, I would have leaped with glee at that statement. I would have said, "Of course, he is! I'm up for that!" Add 37 more years of life together, and I'm not quite so enthusiastic. I longed for a more notable ministry. I wished for grander things. What is grander than pouring life into a life-long relationship?

We see evidence of this, in our empty nest years, shouting back at us glaringly loud. Did we over-prioritize our kids? Is our marriage and golden years suffering because of it?

A Few Good Men on Father's Day might be hard to find but they're out there! If we are fortunate enough to have a dad in the house, then let's celebrate him in a big way. Think Mother's Day scale celebration. He's not asking for any more than that. 

Let each of us strive to purposefully:

Praise not pout

Lift up not put down

Think the best not the worst 

Cherish, not think him devilish!

Please comment below and share how you plan to celebrate the dad in your house this year so we can all gain ideas from each other. I'd love if you typed your name along with your comment. I appreciate each of you!

That man of mine

is mighty fine.

I'll treat him just that way.

If I think on good

the way I should,

I'll celebrate him this day.