Hey Dad,

We didn't choose the Familyman motto just because it had a good ring; we chose it because it's the truth: "I'm a pretty good dad—except when I'm not."

Yesterday was one of those not days for me. It started out good. We had a somewhat meaningful family devotion time, the kids got started on their chores, and I jumped onto the computer to take care of some Familyman details. It looked to be a good day of fathering.

As I typed away, I heard a rather heated exchanged between two of my children. I didn't pay much attention until I heard my wife's voice, a seemingly disrespectful comment, and then a loudly closed door.

Boom!—I was on the move. Actually, if I hadn't blown it, I think it would have ended with an explanation and some fatherly instruction.

Instead, I pushed open my son's bedroom door, and my son, who was on the other side of the door, pushed back, thinking I was his upset brother. The combined forces slammed my glasses into my eye, causing a fair amount of pain—and at the same time detonating a nuclear warhead, causing a combination of Sergeant Carter and Attila the Hun to appear in my place.

I hollered until my son was in tears. But that didn't stop me; I yelled, ranted, and lectured up a storm.

If it wasn't for the broken look on my son's face, I might still be hollering. But the look in his eyes showed me I had blown it big time and the storm in my heart blew out.

"I'm so sorry," I apologized, "You didn't deserve that."

I hugged him tight and asked his forgiveness. And you know what? He forgave me.

"Do you know how much I love you?" I asked, excepting him to say, "No, I don't."

But instead he said, "Yes."

"Do you know how much I like you?" I asked, assured that he would say, "Not much."

"Yes, I know," he said softly.

We hugged some more, and this morning during family devotions I apologized to the entire family for my lousy "dad-ing."

And once again—life is good. And the truth remains: I'm a pretty good dad—except when I'm not.

So dad, maybe you, too, had a not day yesterday or the day before. Let me encourage you to make it right today. They need you to, and you'll be glad you did. After all ….

You 'da Dad,

© 2008 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

[02/29/2008]

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