Tuesday, June 16, 2015

A Daddy

Only a selfless, devoted man can be A Daddy.

 
A daddy worked all day.  Exhausted, he came home and made babies laugh.  A daddy rocked and fed them, gave them a bath, read bedtime stories and kissed them goodnight.

A daddy woke up in the middle of the night, calmed fears and changed diapers.  A daddy woke up early, checked on sleeping babies, went to work in an office filled with their pictures so they would have what they needed.

A daddy didn't want a Saturday hobby that took him away from Luke, Hope, and James.  He gave them more than a home and food.  He gave them time. A daddy looked forward to seeing them at night and on the weekends.  He took them to Sunday worship and served in the nursery when it was his turn.  A daddy prayed for and with them.

A daddy didn't go to the gym in the morning.  He woke kids up, took them to school and wished them a good day.  A daddy called their mom and asked about their day AND grades, of course, but only because he worried and wanted them to do well.  He wanted them to do their best.  He rescheduled meetings to attend Donuts for Dad and Award's Day.  A daddy went to both nights of the dance recital and scheduled daddy/daughter dates.

A daddy took them to the movies.  He played games and gave them a puppy. A daddy took them to Chick-fil-a for breakfast. He sat on the bleachers for hours after work. A daddy recorded every concert. He called Mom months in advance and asked, "Do the kids have anything on February 2, 2017?" A daddy wouldn't schedule anything if there's a concert or ballgame. 


A daddy considered where Luke, Hope, and James wanted to vacation.  Where will they have the most fun? Individually, what do each of them want to do when we're there? A daddy made sure they experienced their favorites.   He dug in the sand, played miniature golf, waited in lines, bought ice cream, and pushed a stroller.  A hot, tired daddy carried sleeping kids back to the room.

A dad takes them shopping for Mother's Day, Christmas, and Mom's birthday.  He takes days off to move them into college and misses them when they're gone.  He calls or texts every day. With a Clemson University degree, a dad writes a check to the University of South Carolina and wears garnet to the ballgame while his heart is orange.  A Tiger spends all day in Columbia to catch a glimpse of his Gamecock in a band uniform.  

A daddy's love is unforgettable. A daddy gives time. A daddy is patient.  A daddy teaches.  He wants them to know God and appreciate His church.  He does what is right but loves and forgives them when they don't and apologizes when he doesn't.

Luke says, "He has a true sense of integrity."

Being a daddy's girl, Hope sums up David perfectly, "He's able to come home and leave his stress at work and not make that come in the way of our family time.   And he always finds a way to make us laugh. And he's probably the most patient man I've met when it comes to our family :-)  He always goes out of his way at night to say goodnight to me, sends me a "have a good day" text every day and goes above and beyond to make sure we get what we need and maybe a little extra."

And leave it to James for brutal honesty, "I know I act like a jerk sometimes, but I know I could never appreciate all the work he has done for this family. And I know he'll forgive me because he's my dad and he loves me."

"Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it." Proverbs 22:6

When I prayed for a spouse, I prayed for a man who loved kids and would be a good daddy, a good role model, and direct their path to God.  God gave me what I prayed for and more.  He gave me a man who loves his children more than himself. God provided a daddy whose devotion goes beyond the expected.  David gives them time, and from him, my children learn patience, sacrificial love, and the right path.   

Happy Father's Day,

Katy, Luke, Hope, and James