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Hey Dad,

I'm telling you, 2007 is going to be a great year. It has to be, because I already have our Christmas tree at the curb ready to be picked-up (it usually sits outside the back door until Memorial Day). It's got to be some kind of good-dad omen or something.

Of course, 2007 could only get better after our Christmas Eve from hell. I'm not sure exactly how it all started, but shortly before we left for church, I blew my cool and went into a nuclear tirade, yelling at anyone who walked into my line of fire. Oh, I was in rare form and had several of my family members in tears.

At the top of my lungs I roared, "We're NOT going to churchhhh!"

Man, I wish you had been here to slug me, put me in a headlock, or slap me around.

Fortunately, my wife gently insisted that we go—and I was glad she did. God was gracious, softened my heart, and allowed me an undeserved second chance. He's good to dads that way.

BUT … that was last year. It's 2007, and things are looking good—not just for me but for you as well.

In case you don't know, I'm not a big New Year's resolution kind of dad, but I do see January 1st as a time for fresh starts. In fact, I'm not so sure that the successful-fathering race isn't all about starting … over and over again.

So many dads get frustrated in fathering because they think they have to be perfectly consistent all the time—and they're not. They hear a motivational speaker, or read a good book on child rearing, weight loss, or financial planning, and try to implement the strategies for success, only to let it go by the wayside after day four. Feelings of failure, defeat, or "what's the use" soon follow.

Well, I'm here to tell you, that the Christmas tree is out by the road, and it's going to be a great year! Who cares that you failed in the past or might fail again in four days … start again! Have personal or family devotions become ancient history? Start again! Have you added more pounds than you'd like to admit? Start again! Do you feel like your children are out-of-control beasts? Start again! Do you feel a hundred miles from your wife? Start again! Have you slipped back into working too many hours? START AGAIN!!

I gotta go now and jump on the exercise bike … I'm starting again!

You 'da Dad,

© 2007 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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