Happy Father's Day

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I read a post on Facebook that said, "Parenting hack: There are no hacks. Everything is hard. These kids don't listen. This is your life now. Godspeed." It made me laugh. All parents have joked, "these kids don't come with a handbook." It's true. We wing it as we go and pray that they turn out okay. I feel like the one thing I have done right in life was raise good kids. 

I am so proud of my adult kids, seeing how they navigate day-to-day life while sticking to the biblical convictions. Since the time they started questioning God and what we, as their parents, believe in, I encouraged them to explore other religions and other beliefs. I challenged them to question, seek answers and believe for themselves, not just because they were taught certain things. I wanted their belief in God to be real to them, and I have seen them grow into their own ideas and knowledge of what scripture says with greater conviction than I had at their age.

I can't take credit for this alone. From the time they were babies, we dedicated them to God and before our church to do our best to raise them in a Godly home. I took time to nurture them while at the same time giving them over to God. I have an amazing husband who stepped up and poured into them as well. He didn't watch from a distance and let decisions up to me. He is a man of God who sought to grow deeper in his faith in order to pour a foundation of faith back into his children. He has always provided for us financially, as well as making our home feel like a safe space. We stood beside each other in consistent discipline and love. Sure, we don't always stand like a united force. Of course, we get frustrated with each other and let little pet peeves annoy us but when it comes to the important aspects of parenting and making decisions to protect our marriage, we are on the same page because we are led by God.

"Children are a heritage from the Lord; offspring are a reward from him." Psalms 127:3 (NIV)

"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper corresponding to him." Genesis 2:18 (CSB)

With that, I say thank you for pursuing your relationship with God in order to lead us and love us well. I could not have picked a better man to walk through this journey of life. I am honored to be your helper, and I thank God for blessing me with you. Happy Father's Day!

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