Tomorrow is Father’s Day. For some it will be just another day. For those who never really had the privilege of experiencing an earthly father’s love or whose fathers are no longer with them, it will be a day of mixed feelings of joy and sorrow. For me, it is a day I can reflect on my dad’s ongoing influence in my life.
To show my gratitude to my dad, , for being the great man in Christ Jesus that he is, I’d like to dedicate the following letter to him in honor of Father’s Day:
6/19/2015
Dear Dad,
This Father’s Day I want to thank you for being my Dad. It would be really easy to just buy you a nice Father’s Day card, but I want to really take the time to write a heartfelt thank you.
I know raising me hasn’t always been easy. I have always had a stubborn streak and I remember when I was younger how much trouble I used to get into. I was rebellious and disrespectful and a bad example to my siblings. But you persevered with me and never gave up on me. It might have been easier to let me have my own way, but you took the time to do the right thing. I still remember different times you would sit me down and take me through passages of Scripture and explain why the way I was acting was wrong and how I needed to give my heart to Jesus.
Before I got saved I was selfish and disobedient. I would always get angry, I could never control my temper. Instead I let it control me and tried to use it to control others. I know now that anger is just a manipulation tactic because I used to be that kind of person. But anger never has worked on you, Dad, and you taught me to do better.
I fought your instruction and guidance especially up until I was around 13 years old. I know I caused you and mom a lot of pain, tears, and prayers. Finally, I got tired from running from what I knew all along was the right thing. On November 8, 2008, with you and mom kneeling beside me in front of our couch in the living room I prayed for Jesus Christ to come into my heart and be my Savior and the Lord of my life. And this time, I really meant it.
From that time, I become a changed person. Close family members saw and still see the difference that Jesus made in my life. But if it wasn’t for you, Dad, I wonder where I would be now?
Life raising me still hasn’t been easy for you and mom and I know you’ve said that the teen years are so much more difficult than when I was just a kid. Thank you for being firm with me when necessary, for putting your foot down when you had to. Even when I’m sure it was hard, you still cared enough about me to not let me do certain things. Thanks for loving me Dad. Thanks for protecting me from all the evil that is out there.
Thank you for providing for me, my siblings and mom. Even when times were really tough and it was hard to pay the bills sometimes, we never went hungry. You always worked hard to provide for us. You taught me to work hard with my hands. I have always had to work hard for college and a car – and I’m glad. Some dads can give these things to their kids. That’s great if they can, and I know you would if you were able. But I am glad I have had to work to make a living and earn things. There are more important things that you gave me. Character lessons. Because of you I know how to manage money, plant a garden, how to do a lot of different types of construction, how to treat a lady, how to be strong, how to be a man.
Thank you Dad.
You’ve been a great role model for me. Other role models I have looked up to in the past have failed me, but you’ve always been there for me. I know you aren’t a perfect Dad, and I am certainly not a perfect son, but I sure respect you a lot.
Most of all Dad, I want to thank you for instilling in me a love for God’s Word, and for teaching me how to follow him – no matter what others thought of me for it. I remember you have always said “the most important thing in this world is to get to heaven and help other people get there.” Thank you for teaching me to have an eternal perspective of what really matters in life. Thank you for taking God’s commands to a father seriously by sitting us kids down and spending time in God’s Word with us; explaining passages, answering our questions, and encouraging us to study the Bible for ourselves.
Now that I’m in a different stage of life and living on my own, I’ve acquired a new appreciation for how you raised me. I see more fully now that you set rules and boundaries for a reason, not just to make life harder or to be mean. I’m a young man now Dad, and someday I’ll be a husband and dad myself. I know when those days come I’ll come to realize even more how wise you are. I won’t forget the lessons you have taught me.
I thank God for giving me a dad like you, and I hope someday I can be the kind of man that you are. I love and appreciate you.
Your Son,
Josh
The sad state of fatherhood in America makes me all the more thankful for my earthly father that my heavenly Father has blessed me with. 54% of children ages 15-17 come from broken families – families whose parents are no longer or never were married. Clearly, the presence of a good father in the home
