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Hello Dad! Welcome to the Dad Pad

Hello Dad...Father...Papa...The Big Cheese...etc. No matter what term you use, your role of “father” is the most powerful role you have. Yet none of us saw a "parenting manual" attached to our first child.

We (the authors), each vividly recall the birth of our first child and the stark reality of what we had entered into with very little training. It was both exciting and intimidating. It was a challenge that was enormous but significant. And, some 20+ years later, it has been worth the fear, anxiety and sweat that we’ve endured as dads.

Being a dad is a challenge. We want to share personal stories of our own successes and even our failures as dads. And we invite you to tell us what’s worked for you. Growth comes best in the context of community; the more insights we share, the more we benefit. Most importantly, everything we include in this blog, whether a humorous story, a video that touched us in some way, or some anecdote, will be subject to the transcendent truth of God's Word. Why? Because we actually do have a manual for raising children; the Bible. And there’s no better book to raise your family.

So, we're glad you're here! We hope you'll think with us, laugh with us, engage with us and pray with us over our families. If you like what you're see, tell others. We’ll all grow to be better fathers when you do.

Father, forgive them!

I had lunch this week with Dave, a friend of mine and father of three adult children. The topic of this blog came up so I asked, “What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned as a dad?” Dave’s answer was profoundly succinct, “Expect less, love more.”

As I reflected upon his advice, I remembered Jesus’ prayer on the cross, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34) Now that’s expecting less and loving more!

Then it hit me. When it came to my kids—and many of my other relationships—I bought into another similar sounding message: “expect more, pay less.” It’s the slogan of Target Corporation and it’s been heavily advertised into my heart.

It’s too easy to expect more of my children, particularly as they grow into young adults. And I want to pay less too. I’d like the sacrifices I’ve made as a dad to be paid back or, at least, to cost me less. The “expect more, pay less” combination applied to relationships, however is lethal. Expectation of others without personal cost is demandingness. Ironically, it’s a childish attitude.

When my teenagers take off with their friends, leaving chores undone, do I really expect that they would put their parent’s desires above their own? I say to myself, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” When they come home later than we wanted to stay up waiting for them, can I admit I did the same at their age? Father, forgive them for they know not what they do. When their forgetfulness means more work for me, can I realistically expect a heartfelt appreciation for the schedule overhaul I just engineered? Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.

And when my Father looks down on my ungrateful, demanding spirit, wanting my way, my agenda, my comfort, in my time, can I hear Him say, “I forgive you, for you know not what you do?”

SOUND OFF: What are some of the greatest lessons you’ve learned as a dad?

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