Reflections On My First Father's Day
I like holidays. A lot. The things I like the most about them are as follows: 1. family time - 2. good food - 3. giving gifts. The only "holiday" I ever have had a bit of an issue with is my birthday. Even though it's great to have a day where people are supposed to make a big fuss about you and shower you with gifts and well-wishes, it's always made me feel kinda awkward. Since becoming a father, I now have another day that's all about me, at least within my little immediate family. Father's Day.
It was great.
First of all, as any of you who follow this blog know, there have been many times over the years that Liza and I wondered if anyone would ever be celebrating us on Mother's Day or Father's Day because we didn't know if we'd ever actually get to be a mother or a father. So, now that we are, this day has become way less about me and what a good father I am or might be or could be or whatever, but is much more about what a truly amazing miracle it is that I get to celebrate this at all. Of course, this has absolutely nothing to do with me and has everything to do with the blessing of God in my life. So, yea Him!
Story got me a canoe, which was super-awesome of her. I've got the best little girl ever, and, evidently, one of the most financially savvy since in her short 3-months-and-26-days she was able to save enough dough to get me said canoe. That's not even mentioning that I have no idea how she gets the money in the first place.
Liza got me a framed picture. When Story was 1-month-old Eric came and took some pictures of her for us, and they're really great. One, in particular, was a favorite of mine. So Liza got me a print of that one so that I can hang it in my office. I will now submit to you for your viewing pleasure.
The day overall was pretty chill. We just went to church, got something to eat, picked up the canoe and then hung out at home (I babysat in there somewhere so Liza could go to the movies; that's what a good husband/father I am). But it's been impossible today to escape contemplating what it means to be a father. I'm obviously still extremely new to this whole thing, and, therefore, have very little advice to offer. Thankfully, though, through my faith, I know the one ultimate Father. So, I'll leave you with something about Him. Luke 15:11-32 (from the Bible).
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father."But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
28"The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
Happy Father's Day!