Some Fathers Day Thoughts



I grew up without a dad. My mother and father divorced when I was really young and then he died shortly thereafter. All I have of him are a couple a vague memories and a few faded pictures. There were no times tossing a ball, fishing together, going to camp, talking about girls or any of those father/son things all of my friends seemed to have. To say I grew up bitter about this and angry at God for my predicament would be a bit of an understatement. It seems like I blamed most of my youthful problems on not having this magical person called “Dad” to give me Yoda like guidelines about life.

I was fat. Why? No dad
I was shy with girls. Why? No dad
I was angry inside at the world. Why? No dad
I was angry at God. Why? No dad
And on and on…

The funny thing about the plans God has for our lives is that we don’t understand them at the time but usually it turns out He is preparing us for some greater purpose.

I was fat—Now, I love to run, ride bikes and hike
I was shy with girls—I met the love of my life through a blind date and now have enjoyed a wonderful 13 year start to a lifetime together.
I was angry inside—Now, I hate to see others in emotional pain and have a passion for serving others.
I was angry with God—Now, I know He wired me this way for positive reasons I still seek to understand.

I grew up without a dad—Now, I do all that I am capable to be a good father to my son and to be a good influence to boys/adults I serve in Scouting.

I hope as this Father’s day approaches you will take a moment to look at your gifts as a father and/or as a son. Are you striving to be the best God has wired you to be? Are you growing and learning even as you make mistakes?

Your actions today will impact generations to come. Make the most of it while you can.

Comments

  1. Dusty ChrisJune 19, 2009 at 7:39 AM

    Dude, you have such a great gift of communicating. I think your writing and expressing yourself is also a result of having endured pain in your life. Funny thing is, we all have pain which shapes us and forms us into the man God wants us to be. I had a dad who worked alot to support a family of six and I rarely saw him. It produced many of the same results that you describe. Praise be to God that He brings us on board and fulfills us in our pain.

    ReplyDelete
  2. David C.June 25, 2009 at 6:46 AM

    Thank you for the wonderful comment. I read your blog often and so coming from you this means a lot.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJuly 6, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    Great post, David. We all could find things in our lives to use as an excuse as to why we are the way we are. What you are sharing is that we may be given circumstances we wouldn't choose but the choice we DO have is how we respond to those circumstances. You chose to see how God intended to use your circumstances for your good and His glory. Great lesson. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. FabulousSaraJune 18, 2010 at 6:55 AM

    David, this is AN amazing post and a great example of how to overcome any type of difficulties. This is my first fathers day without my dad and it is hitting me especially hard. I can't imagine a lifetime without him. Kudos to you for being such a fine example for your son.
    ~FabulousSara/Twitter

    ReplyDelete

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