As a relatively new father, I am still learning things each and every day. I do not consider myself an expert when it comes to parenting, but I do consider myself extremely blessed by God. Being a father is a joy unlike any other in this life. And contrary to an unspoken, yet popular belief of guys my age, children don’t ruin “the best years of your life.” I would argue that these are the best years of my life so far because now my daughter is in them. Is my life easier? Maybe not, but it is overflowing with joy. Today a want to talk about three joys I get to experience everyday by being a father.

1. Having someone call me daddy

It seems so simple, yet it is so profound. At one time in my life, no one could call me “daddy” because I wasn’t one. Now, no one can take that title away from me. One of the sweetest sounds in all the universe is to hear my little girl say “DADDY!” from across a room. God has given me the responsibility and privilege to be her daddy. I never want to take that for granted.

2. Being able to watch her grow

I can’t believe that my daughter will be turning 2 this year. It seems like last week we were taking her home from the hospital. Now she is literally running around the house. I have loved every second of watching her grow and discover new things about the world around her. If you ask me, she is some kind of baby genius, but I guess every parent feels that way. It has been especially fun to watch her grow up in a foreign country. She is learning English and Thai faster than I ever could have imagined! I feel so very blessed to have front row seat through every milestone.

3. Teaching her about her Father in heaven

As a Christian father, I have the greatest responsibility of training my daughter up in the ways of the Lord. I get to teach her about the One who saved my soul and can do the same for her. I, alongside her mother, get to teach her how to pray, read the Bible, and love people like Jesus. What a tremendous honor! Recently, we have been asking if she would like to pray before bed. Usually her bedtime prayer is this: “God, I love you so much. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.” Right now she doesn’t really understand what she is saying, but one day she will. She will remember the example we set in praying to the Father. Like the Shane and Shane song says, “I wish that I could be your everything…but sometimes I’m gonna let you down.” I may not be able to give her everything she needs, but I can point her to the Father who can always provide.

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I am not a perfect father. I have days where I lose my temper and have no patience for her crying. I have days where I choose to play on my phone, instead of with her, when I know that is all she wants. I need God’s grace and strength at all times to be the father I am suppose to be. I am so thankful for His love and example of how I am to love my little girl. When my love falls short of perfection, His loves carries right on through.

Thank you, Father. I love you so much. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.