To the dads who fill our hearts + free Father’s Day Card

darlinglittlelife
Jun 11, 2017
3 min read

I was 20 years old. Traveling alone, halfway across the globe to a third world country where I would be spending the next half year or so of my life. I found myself in the London Heathrow airport, suddenly feeling like this “big adventure” wasn’t such an adventure any more… The panic started rising and the doubts came creeping in. Homesickness was already crippling my heart.

I rummaged through that little carry on (probably for food… stress eating, am I right?). And there I spotted a letter from my dad, tucked in when I wasn’t looking. In the sea of people bustling around, I sat down and tried to read it through the waterfall of tears that suddenly wouldn’t stop. It was titled something like “read when you’re missing home”. It didn’t take long for my heart to need it. I think I lost the letter somewhere along the way during my time in rural Tanzania. No matter though, I had it pretty much memorized. And at home, there was a small stack of similar letters in a little Tupperware container from Christmases, birthdays, and graduations past that shared words of love and encouragement and support. All from my Dad.

The world so desperately needs fathers who will be more than the apathetic, clueless dads that Hollywood portrays.

That preacher Dad of mine got it pretty much right, I think… Because the man who spoke such truth from the pulpit didn’t neglect to speak truth into his family’s hearts- by showing up, being present, and by being so stubbornly interested in every part of our lives.

Because maybe what this world really needs is men who will show strength and conviction and will quietly serve their families. Men who will choose to pour grace, love, and gentleness into the homes that God has called them to lead.

Fathers, can you speak up, and really say those words your loved ones needs to hear out loud, even if it feels foreign on your tongue? I get it, those words don’t always come easy. But your family’s hearts need to be filled with words of affirmation and love from their dad. And then, back up those words with your actions.

Because–

one without the other will only lead to empty places in their hearts.

And so here’s to you, men, who sacrificially choose to be the kind of fathers this world needs-

The kind that bend low and humbly serve with patience, gentleness, and consideration.

And who stand firm in truth-God’s truth- and command respect by the way they study His Word and lovingly lead their homes.

The men that love their children enough to love their wife even more, and to pursue her daily. Yeah, you know those kisses you steal in the kitchen and the kids cover their eyes and groan? Its teaching them healthy, beautiful love and affection in an overly sexualized world.

Here’s to the fathers who model strong work ethic and integrity of character.

Who show his sons how to be the kind of man who doesn’t walk out when life gets tough and model how to apologize when you mess up.

And show his daughters their profound worth and value. (and takes time to notice and compliment the haircut or the new shoes.)

And rather than standing passively by, these men fight for their family on their knees in prayer.

These are the real men, battling deep in the trenches of a war against the home.

Thank you. For everything. We love you.

And P.S. No one can rock those crocs with socks and pull off those dad-jokes like you.

For Fathers Day, I wanted to share a quick little printable card for you! You’re free to do whatever you want with this, except redistribute it commercially or claim it as your own. Use it to tell your dad how much you appreciate him and love him! I’m loving this simple, minimalist look. For a more masculine and rustic feel, print it on some brown card stock! Click to download: