FOR FATHER'S DAY
Many thanks to Janet (Bruce & Janet) and to Mark (Mark & Denise) that were the sole inspiration for writing this dedication for Father's Day.
This is for the men that are still waiting to become fathers or have the joy of being a Dad already. This is for the men that have stood by and watched their wives cry countless tears as they wait for a child. This is for those men that have shed tears of sadness, frustration, or fear behind closed doors or in silence or out of the view of their wives, because they just couldn't disclose their vulnerability. This is for the men that long to see their wife's faces full of joy as they become a Mom and have only inkling as to how good it will be to be a Dad. This is for the men that are weary of spending untold hours discussing how, when, where, and why to build a family and are so tired of the money 'flying' out the window in the process. This is for the men that go to work with a bad cough and fever, but need their household to revolve around them when they are home with a headache. This is for the men that keep us awake at night with their snoring, and wonder how they will sleep when a baby is in the house crying. This is for the men that long to teach their child how to build cars, mow the yard, use tools, go to sporting events, use a welder, drive a 4-wheeler, how to buy a used car, and roof a house--as soon as the baby is born--even if it is a girl. This is for the men that will bait dozens of hooks and never get to fish because they are too busy making sure their kids don't fall in the lake, overturn the boat, or let the fish go. This is for the men that will shake their heads in amazement at wives that get hair bows to stay on a baby's head, when they don't have any hair yet! This is for the men that anticipate the latest style of sunglasses being worn by their 2-yr. old. This is for the men that quietly hope and long for the day to have a little child crawl into their lap to read a book together, to watch a movie, to keep safe from a thunderstorm, and that want to teach their child how to pray. This is for the men that keep us guessing about their feelings and give us a couple months to piece the clues together. This is for the men that haven't even thought about mid-life crisis and to those that have already gone through it. This is for the men that cause us to shake our heads as we reach for the "empty" milk carton in the fridge. This is for the men that have watched their wives drool and cry in the baby departments, that have listened to another story about someone else being pregnant, and have wondered when will the torrent of tears ever end. This is for the men that loved their Dads and don't have them with them anymore. This is for the men that aren't ashamed to admit their concerns for the future of their family, or are honest enough to know they are still figuring life out. This is for the men that pray on their knees and humble themselves before God and pray for the privilege of becoming a father. This is for the men that counsel other men about marriage, family, and children, and yet are still waiting to experience it themselves. This is for the men that anticipate carnival rides, rodeos, race car events, baseball/football games, tractor pulls, hockey/soccer games, concerts, and boat rides with their children and quietly suffer in their own way. This is for the men that wonder why they didn't buy stock in a tissue company a few years ago, and figure it's not too late--they will be plenty of diapers to buy. This is for the men that will teach their sons how to use the great outdoors to potty, and have a tissue in their pocket for their little girls. This is for the men that want to show their children how to build a camp fire, pitch a tent, hike a trail, ride a bike, and burn a few marshmallows under God's star filled sky. This is for the men that go to work day after day and deal with the questions, the comments, and the innuendoes that other men make about marriage, family, and sex. This is for the men that take a stand for God's Word and don't back down--no matter what. This is for the men that stay up late at night in prayer and that start their day with prayer. This is for the men that wonder if they will ever get an egg over easy at home without the yolk being broken or wonder if they should do more of the cooking. This is for the men that have put on a few pounds since they got married and kindly overlook the extra pounds on their wife also. This is for the men that refuse to be 'one of the guys' and are thankful to be a man of God instead. This is for the men that are newly married and have hearts that yearn to be a Dad. This is for the men that wonder if they are too old to become a Dad or wonder if it is worth all the effort. This is for the men that question themselves about whether or not they can love another man's child and end up becoming the most devoted fathers of all. This is for the men whose hearts break when they see their wives in pain, or see their children sick, or feel the pain of child discipline. This is for the men that have had children that did not live or had pregnancies that did not survive or wanted to father their own children more than anything else, but have made the decision to love a child--no matter how God provides. This is for the men that fall asleep in recliners, on the couch, and in a lawn chair--even though they just sat down. This is for the men that had to say good-bye to their mothers, their fathers, sisters or brothers one last time. This is for the men that love their wives and their kids more than they love life. This is for the men that treat their wives with respect, honor, and devotion and wonder why other men just don't connect the dots. This is for the men that refuse to be lured by the temptations of this world and would rather serve God with a pure heart. This is for the men that allow their wives to adopt dozens of pets while waiting for a child and end up loving the pets too. This is for the men that elected to not buy that fancy new 'whatever' but instead agreed to pursue adoption. This is for the men that give their wives tools for special occasion gifts and figure they are making a 'deposit' into her Love Bank! This is for the men that say they will never change a 'poopy' diaper but when their baby arrives will do so--with a clothespin on their nose. This is for the men that have counted the stars at night, that notice sunsets, and like noisy playgrounds. This is for the men that shout at sporting events, coach other kids, and teach Sunday school. This is for the men that have younger brothers and sisters that know something about children and for those that have never experienced a house that is full of toys. This is for the men that are deacons, leaders, and Christian counselors. This is for the men that study God's Word late at night and early in the morning. This is for the men that inadvertently fall asleep in church or during a 'chick flick' with their wives. This is for the men that have blisters on their hands and tears in their jeans, but know that's part of a being a guy. This is for the men whose hands are never quite clean from their jobs or snag their wives clothes with their calluses. This is for the men that cook over b-b-q grills, trim the hedges, and help their wives plant some 'more annuals'. This is for the men that love to eat steak and that still appreciate an airy chocolate mousse. This is for the men that help wash dishes, fold laundry, and take out the trash. This is for the men that get up early to go to work and stay up late working on the household budget. This is for the men that console their wives during hormone peaks and thank God they don't have monthly cycles. This is for the men that would gladly endure the shots, pills, and drugs that they see their wife endure--if it would bring her complete fulfillment. This is for the men that have openly cried with their wives and wondered when God would answer their prayers.
To you men, our husbands and our friends--we honor you and we love you. We thank God for the privilege of being your wife and we thank God that He understands you, since we usually don't. For you men, we pray and we hope that you will be blessed beyond your wildest dreams with the joy of fatherhood. For you men and to you men, may you become a DAD with God's hand of blessing in His perfect timing. For this we pray that it will be soon--very soon.
For more information please read Allegiance and How. We encourage you to prayerfully consider registering with our service, and/or writing to us.
adoption@christianadoption.com
A non-profit Christian and Internet
service ministry. We're helping others in the adoption
process.
1.800.277.7006 620.251.4405
Deborah S. Hill P.O. Box 243 Coffeyville, KS 67337
www.christianadoption.com adoption@christianadoption.com
