Father’s Day {Redeemed}

Posted on by Michele Morin

For me, Round One was not such that I would have predicted a mushy Father’s Day blog post in my future.

(Who would have ever predicted blogs, anyway?)

My experience with this Hallmark holiday was aptly described by author, Leslie Leyland Fields:

“Some will turn away from thirty minutes at the card rack empty-handed and sad.”

Then, miracle of miracles, I said, “Yes, I do,” and four years later I was living, again, with a Dad — only this time?

This time the Dad is imperfectly — but faithfully — taking his cues from a heavenly Father.  This changes everything.  It changes every day life, and it changes Father’s Day.  I’m thankful from the bottom of my heart to be celebrating a dad who says:

“There’s no place I’d rather be than with my family.”

The Lord your God in your midst,The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17)

However, family time doesn’t just happen!  Someone has to make a plan for it.

“Hey, it’s time for a beach day!”

Pack the sturdy shovels, load a cooler stuffed with food to last the whole day, build a drift wood fortress “better than everyone else’s,” and the day will always be a memory-maker.

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  (Jeremiah 29:11)

The truth is that full coolers and size 12 shoes and piano lessons and home school curriculum come at a cost, but when the Real Dad goes to the grocery store with a list including flour, he comes home with twenty pounds.  When he talks to the farmer down the road, he makes arrangements to buy a freezer full of meat.

“If one job doesn’t pay the bills, I’ll get two . . . or even three!”

. . . let your soul delight itself in abundance.  (Isaiah 55:2)

I am frequently a spectator to the “boy culture” in our home, peering through the testosterone haze and drawing conclusions about life from the male perspective.  From the earliest days, I have over-reacted to their stunts, particularly when those stunts have involved rooftops.  One day, after a particularly deep snowfall, I learned that the two oldest boys had been . . .

. . .  climbing onto the woodshed roof and jumping off! 

A few hours after forbidding the reckless behavior of my sons, I greeted their Dad, home from work and ready to listen to my daily litany of, “You won’t believe what they did today!”  The two boys were nearby as their Dad heard about “the woodshed incident.”

“Show me what you did,” he said with a smile.

Mittens, snow suits, laughter, and boots carried them to the “scene of the crime.”   His conclusion?

They’re fine.

The snow was deep enough to catch them; the roof was not too high.

Will they remember this, someday, when they think God is unapproachable because of something they’ve done?

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.  (Romans 8:1)

Approachable.

Wise.

And when it comes to life’s questions, a  Dad with sons is forever on the hook.  No topic should be off limits for either parent to discuss, but when it comes time to talk about the responsibility and blessing of being a man, a boy needs time and straight talk from the Dad.  Will he side step the issue?

“I want to be the one who tells them.”

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  (Psalm 32:8)

Therefore, this Father’s Day, if I turn away from the card rack empty-handed, it will not be with sadness.

This time, the reason will be that there is no card that can wrap around the fullness of a home,

the richness of a family,

the blessedness of a life

with a faithful and following Dad..

//

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and five adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

45 thoughts on “Father’s Day {Redeemed}”

  1. Michele,
    LOVE this!! Never underestimate the power of a dad who is grounded in Christ and leads with power, strength, and love. God gives His children a mother and a father because He knows our children NEED both. In order to jump into God, sometimes our children first need to jump off the woodshed roof. Dad’s teach daring to take risks with God…and they can set an example that shows us how to respect our Heavenly Father. You are so blessed to have a husband like this to celebrate!!
    Blessings,
    Bev xx

    Like

  3. I don’t know how many times through the years I have looked at my husband when the boys are doing something, and asked, ‘This is o.k. – this is normal?” – and he tells me, “Yes” – because i knew nothing about raising boys and God gave me 5. Just like your husband, no father’s day card can truly capture the fullness of a good father. I so enjoyed your story and your message in the story!

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  4. I love this! You have taken your story of your husband and sons and used it to show how the Heavenly Father leads us and models how we should live our lives. Your husband sounds like he is laid back but very aware of his role as father and leader in the family. Thank you or sharing this with all of us. Happy Father’s Day to all the fathers out there and especially to your husband.

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    1. Isn’t it wonderful how nothing is wasted in God’s economy? Every single person and situation He brings into our life can be a grace thing. Thanks, Mary, for reading.

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      1. I love this just as much as last year. I have tried to wrap my brain around this Father’s Day but it’s th first one without my daddy. I thought I would write how I was feeling but the words would not come. Thank you for sharing words that say so much.

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      2. What an adjustment for you to absorb — and you must miss him so much. They say that “time” heals, but sometimes it seems as if the long absence is just so . . . long. My heart goes out to you on this significant holiday when you wish you could be showering your special dad with attention and love.

        Liked by 1 person

  5. Lovely fathers day message friend. Well crafted post😇😉
    How is your new job?
    Thanks for your feedback. ..I sent you another email though.
    Blessings to you

    Liked by 1 person

  8. What a wonderful post Michele, and a beautiful tribute for Father’s Day. I had a less than perfect dad but God still redeemed our days together and used him powerfully in the lives of our entire family.
    Blessings to you my friend,
    Patti

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  9. Oh, how I know that feeling at the card rack. It is a beautiful thing to see God’s unique redemption for each of us. For me, it came in a step-dad that saw me as his own and adopted me (at 26!) and a husband who father’s with the love I wish I had known as a little girl. So much blessing in redemption. Grateful for all God has done in your life!

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  10. Michele, this was a beautiful tribute to the father in your home! I love how you showed how he reflected our heavenly Father. And yes, guys certainly have a different perspective on what’s safe and reasonable!

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  12. Wonderful post Michelle! I will never take for granted that my Father loves the Lord. I may not have always shown my appreciation but I thank God for Him every day! Thanks for giving us a glimpse of the love you have experienced from your husband. Amen regarding the card rack tomorrow! I feel less pressure to find the right Father’s Day card now. Thanks for this beautiful and heartfelt reminder Michelle. Have a fantastic weekend and continued blessings to you and yours!

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  13. Michele, I am so glad I stopped here. I loved this post! It is so true that our men are wired so differently than we are. And I am grateful they are! I loved that your husband made your boys demonstrate their jump off the roof 🙂 That just made me smile as I well remember the crazy antics of my own dad and later on, my husband. May you all be blessed as you celebrate Father’s Day!

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  16. I LOVE this! Michele, there is nothing like a father who is following the Lord. Thanks for linking up with Thankful Thursdays.

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  17. Michele, I have appreciated my husband more and more as my boys have gotten older! Those moments where I had to ask, “Is this normal, or do I need to seek help for these children?” 🙂 I have realized even more so the importance of children having a father … of wives having a husband. My hearts and my hats go off to the women that do have to do it alone. I’m so thankful you have a new experience in the card isle these days!!!

    Blessings, my friend!
    And thanks so much for sharing sweet hope at Moments of Hope!!

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    1. Smiling over the “is this normal” question! We do need another perspective as mums, and it’s such a blessing to receive it from a wise person who loves our kids as much as we do. Blessings, Lori!

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  18. What a wonderful post! Looks like you picked a winner!

    Thanks for sharing what a godly father looks like at the Loft today.

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  21. I loved this post! We have three daughters so now that I have grandsons I can relate to life with boys a bit better! Regardless, it takes a good and loving Father to parent both!

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  22. Yes, this is so true: “This time the Dad is imperfectly — but faithfully — taking his cues from a heavenly Father. This changes everything.” Glad you have such a wonderful father in your home; I’m thankful that my husband is such a great dad too. Blessed beyond measure!

    Like

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