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Hey Dad,

This was supposed to go out last Thursday before we left for a whirlwind tour of the Creation Museum near Cincinnati, OH, and my mom's big birthday celebration. Well, somehow it didn't send out … so here it is.

Boy, it's been busy around here as we scramble to get a few exciting Familyman projects finished up in time for Christmas. During these busy times, it's real easy to drop the ball in the Familyman department.

In fact, my wife pinned me to the wall the other night. It started out as one of those times when she was pouring out her guts to me. To be honest, I just listened, knowing that it had nothing to do with me. Then she said, "I feel like sometimes you say something just to appease me, but then you don't ever follow up on it. It makes me feel like you don't really care about what I think is important."

I felt like a deer caught in the headlights. I just stared at her knowing I had done that on numerous occasions. I always have good intentions. She shares an idea, it sounds like a good idea, and then I say something like, "Yeah, we should do that. How about we start tomorrow … or next week?" Then in the busyness of "me" and "mine," I get sidetracked and forget.

Even as she poured out her guts, I knew I had no excuses and apologized for not following through. "You're right," I said, "I do do that, and I'm sorry."

I got an A+ in apology, but I still haven't followed through. The more I think about it, one of the key ingredients in good fathering and husbanding is follow-through.

1. I say, "Sure Honey, I'll read that chapter you want me to look at," and then months go by, and I still haven't picked up the book.
   
   
2. I say, "Yeah, let's talk to the kids about that." Still haven't.
   
   

I get a D- in follow-through, because in husbanding and fathering good intentions don't matter diddly. It's all about follow-through.

So, my fellow Dad, take a good look at some of the things you may have said "Yes" to but haven't followed through with yet. You may have to apologize, but you certainly need to follow through.

You 'da Dad!

© 2008 Todd Wilson. Used by permission.

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