To the Daddies: Your Presence is More Powerful Than You Know
In these months after losing my husband, I’ve never been more aware of the presence of fathers in my whole entire life.
There’s something about you, the creation of you, that brings a sense of security.
It’s nothing you muster up or strive for. It’s just how you were created… to be a reflection of your Maker.
You don’t think anything about it, but I have been watching you—
I watch you put the socks and shoes on your daughter at gymnastics.
I watch you hold your sons hand as you walk through the school hallway.
I see you watching your child fly down the slide.
I watch your little one put her hands around your neck.
I see her little arms wrap around your bicep.
I watch, longingly.
And these are simple graces, I don’t want you to take for granted.
Your presence is more powerful than you know.
I see the compassion in your eyes and quiet prayer for the scraped knee.
I watch you buckle her in her car seat.
When you giggle with her, walking up to the store front in the parking lot.
When you scoop the puree into his mouth and wipe his chin.
I notice, longingly.
And these simple graces, I don’t want you to take for granted.
Your presence is more powerful than you know.
It’s these little things that build a foundation of security. These ar the moments that make you a daddy. And it’s these little moments I long for most. That bring me to weeping. Yet you, you have no idea how important you really are.
I’m taking the time today to help you understand.
These simple graces, the ones most often taken for granted and forgotten… these are the moments that truly matter most.
You don’t have to be a perfect dad. Just be present.
You don’t have to be superman.
You don’t have to work so hard and earn so much.
My husband was humble and teachable and a listener. And he made fatherhood a practice. He was always hungry to learn more and father better.
Here are the books that were on his nightstand.
I want to share them with you today because I don’t want you to take your fatherhood for granted.
Your presence is more powerful than you know.
