I remember never receiving the Father of the Year Award. It is because I don’t think they had one in my hometown. My guess is that very few have such an award. There are a few National Father of the Year Awards but you have to be famous to win. The other one I saw was about a guy who lived in a shed and worked long hours sacrificing time with his daughter…
What? I thought being a father was about spending time with your kids. Not sacrificing your time somewhere else on their behalf. If that’s true, I should have won that award many times over for all the time I worked (at jobs, ministry, and my business) sacrificing time with my kids so I could provide for my kid’s basic needs. Hmmm? Something doesn’t seem quite right about that. Definitely not the Father of the Year Award-worthy in my book.
Ministry Was My Mistress
I remember my mentor, when he first started working with me, shared with me that I had a mistress. He said ‘ministry’ was my mistress. I was sacrificing but in all the wrong ways. He said guys would win great awards in our town for all their dedicated hours. They would be recognized for Businessman of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and other awards. In the meantime back home their families were falling apart.
Unfortunately, I could relate. That’s what motivated my writing of Letter To My Kids (click to see this earlier blog). My conscience would not let me not write those letters. I had to ask them, all four of my kids, to forgive me for blowing it many times in many ways. No strings attached. I wouldn’t allow myself to say, “but if you only understood or if you only knew.” NO EXCUSES!
Though I didn’t always get it right after that, I did ‘up‘ my game as a father. My kids have shared much grace and mercy with me. I am so thankful for them!
Jesus Did What He Saw the Father Do – Father of the Year
John 5:19 NIV
Jesus gave them this answer: “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.
The amazing thing? With the help of my mentor, and Carmen’s love and encouragement, I started focusing on my daily walk with Jesus. Jesus did what He saw the Father do. I did (with much improvement needed) what I saw Jesus do. We have a great, good, good heavenly Father.
The more we focus on our walk with Him, the better we can reflect Him to others. Most importantly we can reflect Him to our kids, our family.
Share with me and all the readers in the comments below. Write at least one reason you would nominate your dad as Father of the Year. What is one great memory you have? If this isn’t possible, then write at least one reason you would nominate your Heavenly Father as Father of the Year. I would love to hear it.
Challenge of the Week:
You have/had an earthly father. Thank God for them this Sunday and every day. If you are a father, make every day (not just Father’s Day) about your kid(s) and how special it is to be their father. Let your kids know how much you love them. You love because your heavenly Father first loved you. He is good, all the time! Happy Father’s Day fathers! So be it.
Daniel Carpenter says
Even though he was not redeemed most of his life he was a hard worker, provided a safe home and all of life’s necessities for me and my family. He also stayed committed to my mom throughout his life even though they had a agonizing relationship.
I love you dad and I can’t wait to see you in heaven on that appointed day.
Scott Ramsey says
Thanks for sharing Dan! Happy Father’s Day!
Hiram Rodriguez says
My Pops father of the Year because…
1. Serves God first, then Family, and others every moment of his life.
2. Gives without expecting return.
3. Teaching me the power of positive thinking.
4. Always took time out to play with us, no matter what. Still does today, even it’s a game of shooting used dinner napkins into the trash can:-).
5. Never give up attitude-finished his college degree in his 50’s!
6. Marriage Champion-59 years with Mom and sets the right example for our family and others.
Scott Ramsey says
Wow, that is amazing Hiram. I know many who would have loved to have had an earthly father like that. May our heavenly Father continue to produce examples in us like your father did with you! Thanks for sharing!