Thursday, August 25, 2005

Family Man

A couple of days ago I woke up and heard Emma (my daughter, age 2) calling for me. I went and got her out of bed and laid her down between Dana and I. We all went back to sleep for a while. When I woke up again I rolled over and Emma was just looking at me and smiling. "Guess what? I love you!" she said. I melted. Every morning before I leave for work I give Dana and Emma each a hug and a kiss. Emma chases me to the door and says "More kisses!" and "More big hugs!" Recently she has started adding "Give Mama more kisses and big hugs!"

Last night before we went to bed Dana and I were talking about the day. Dana said "I took Emma to the park this morning and then we came home. I fixed us sandwiches and we went outside to eat them on the back deck." She said all of this very "matter-of-factly" as if it were no big deal (and maybe to you it isn't). By the time she finished telling me about it I found that I had this big goofy smile on my face and tears in my eyes. I said "You are a great mom." She laughed a little, thanked me and asked why I said that. I sort of rambled (like I'm doing now) and really had trouble explaining my reaction to what she said. I love that I'm married to Dana. But, also I love that Dana is Emma's mother. I love that Emma has a mother that takes her to the park. I love that they come home and make sandwiches. I love that they go outside and eat them together. I love my family. That night I think I prayed the most sincere prayer that I have uttered in a long time:
Father,
Thank you for Dana
Thank you for Emma
Help me to be a better husband and father,
Help me to be a better follower of Jesus.
Amen
AE

4 comments:

Bill Williams said...

What a wonderful tribute to God!

What a beautiful way to say, "I love you" to your wife!

What a compelling way to challenge all of us who share your sentiments to be better followers of Jesus, better husbands and better fathers.

Your post reminds me of a song of prayer which is on the Hallal Worship's album, Faithful, entitled, "Thank God for Mothers". The lyrics are:

Lord, in your wisdom you gave us someone—
Someone to hold us, through the long lonely nights;
Someone to laugh at the silliest things;
Someone to lovingly call out our names;
But most of all, Father, we thank you for mothers,
Who pray for their children every day.

Lord through your mercy, you gave us someone—
Someone to notice every tear that was cried;
Someone to magically make things all right;
Someone to read us sweet stories at night;
But most of all, Father, we thank you for mothers,
Who pray for their children every day.

Thank you, for these inspirational thoughts. May God continue to richly bless you and your family, dear brother.

Phil said...

There's not much better than being the daddy of a little girl. We are both lucky to have the wives we do and the daughters we have.

Rick said...

dad's who love their kids are so cool, aren't they?

yeah, we are.

bigsip said...

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. Psalm 127:3. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it; Eph 5:25. Family love is wonderful...what a blessing from God!