This month you enjoyed the “Greatest Joys of Fatherhood” that were printed several years ago that still a blessing for the fathers. Enjoy!
In continuation of this series, enjoy his piece on the greatest joys of being a father.
Note: This article was submitted several years ago as a joy to send again.
I’m Proud To Be Called Daddy! – Dad “Ronald”
Fatherhood…well…let’s see…listening to crying babies all night, changing diapers day and night, feeding, burping, dealing with colic, fevers, ow-ies and so much more. Parenting can be a difficult experience, but who said life was supposed to be easy. I’m a firm believer when it comes to children, what you put in is what you get out. The beauty of this experience is that from day one, you could instill knowledge, values, commitment, and other character traits into another person’s life. From day one, children are totally dependent on their parents. Thus, as their parents, our response to that challenge will shape their future and ours for years to come.
These days, children are becoming parents at earlier ages. This is unfortunate because if they are still kids, how can they raise kids? As a young man I took the responsibility of being a parent seriously. I was not in a rush to have children. Although I love kids, I thought it more important to deal with my own childish nature before having children of my own. The Bible teaches: 1 Corinthians 13:11: “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” It took maturity, as a man, to appreciate the responsibilities of parenting. Once I understood that, I made a commitment to do my best to be the best dad I could be.
I believe that my own experience in the church as a child guided my path as an adult. I remember my experiences on the usher board, in the youth choir, and participating in Sunday school. These church volunteers (members, teachers, and leaders) helped mentor me as a child and left a lasting impression on my life.
As I look back on those experiences, I wanted nothing less for my kids. I believe God prepares us for our missions in life. As a parent, I knew God had used my own childhood to prepare me. So, doing anything other than my best, I felt, would be an insult to God, who gave His very best! As I look back on the many long days of parenting: homework assignments, school projects, weekends devoted only to our kids’ activities resulting in very little idle time as my wife and I drove them back and forth to activities and sports events; yet there are unequivocally no regrets. God, our church family, and commitment to our children are the ties that continues to bind my wife and I and our children together as a family. You see, this was God’s plan. This was “a purpose filled life.” Even today, as we continue to nurture and advise our young adult children, it gives us pause to look back on the years. While they seemed endless back then, they appear to have been too short now. The memories, the joy, the realization that following God’s plan, have prepared our children to be productive citizens, good Christians, and people of service to others; bringing unspeakable joy to my heart. Now, while both are college graduates and strong believers in Christ, it has been hard at times to let go of their once little hands and allow them to lead their lives. But as the adage says, it is best to “let go and let God!”
Many men are not involved in their children’s lives. Many men miss those cherished moments. Fear of failure, problems with their spouse, inability to get sustaining employment, not able to pay the bills, are a few of the justifications some men use as an excuse to bail on their responsibilities. Without faith sometimes fathers give up too easily. When we get together as a family, when we reflect on the events in our children’s lives, when they call me “daddy,” I’m proud to have been there to share their experiences, their joy, and all those cherished moments… and why wouldn’t I be proud, I was there to help guide their steps. I Am Proud To Be Called Daddy! Thank you, Brandee and Caleb, for allowing me to be an intricate part of your life. And thank you God for blessing me with two wonderful children and a loving and dedicated wife. What more can a man ask for!!
Please Help Us To Celebrate The Marriage Of Caleb Who Is Rejoicing The Weekend May 21, 2022!
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