To my father:
You are a man. You are a husband. You are a teacher. You are a preacher. You are an entertainer. You are a minister. You are a father, and that is more important than everything else that you are. A father is an example; a father is a lawmaker; a father is a peacemaker; a father is a mentor; a father is spiritual leader; a father someone to pick you up when you fall, and to tell you when you’ve done wrong. Dad, you are a great man. You are a great teacher. You preach the Word with boldness and surety. You teach me how to live my life. You are an entertainer, and a minister at the same time. But, more than all of this, you are my father.
This day, December 31 is my dad’s birthday. For many years he has set the standard and the example of what walking by faith looks like. He has led our family through the difficult times and into the joyous times. He has held to his commitment to my mother and unto God to watch, care, protect, provide, instruct, and correct his family in love as God does for His Church.
A father is a picture of God, and by his example, we learn more about God. Sure, my dad’s not perfect, nobody is perfect. But, he’s always been there, and he always will be. I don’t know what my life would have been like if I didn’t have a father, but I can tell you that I would’ve been messed up in more ways than I could say. God has blessed me and my siblings with a wonderful dad, and I thank God for him.
Dad, I love you. You are the Godly man that I want to be someday. You love me when I hate myself. You are always there for me when I need you. I can always count on you to tell me when I’m wrong. Thanks for being you. Happy birthday.
I know this post was for and about my dad, but it’s also to emphasize the importance of fathers. A father is the head of a home just as Christ is the head of the Church. A father is commanded to raise his children to love and fear God and is accountable for them as long as they are under his roof. An earthly father is a picture of our heavenly father and is vital to how we grow in our spiritual lives. It may not be your dad’s birthday today, but let him know how much you love and appreciate him just being your dad.
If you don’t have a father, or maybe don’t have a father who is ever around. Thank God for being your heavenly father and always caring for you and protecting you even when your earthly father does not.
As always, thanks for reading.
—the anonymous novelist
the anonymous novelist 