One of the greatest blessings — and toughest responsibilities — I’ve ever had the honor to experience is fatherhood. I absolutely love being a dad! The role draws from a skill set I cherish — mentoring, guiding, and instructing — but it also allows me to show love, reflect the heart of Christ, and hopefully help the next generation grow in a relationship with Him.
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.” – Psalm 103:13
My daughter — or as I like to call her, the bairn — didn’t do anything to earn my love. From the moment I became the first one to hold her in the hospital, through the 3 a.m. bonding sessions rocking her to sleep, to the countless hours spent watching her dream, draw, play, or just laugh during a movie — my love was already unconditional.
She’s quirky, funny, and full of life. I never seem to get enough time with her. (Because her mother and I are divorced, I see her a few days a week, but most parents will relate, it is never enough!)
Even so, I’ve always tried not just to be a good father, but an excellent dad. I make it a point to communicate often and to not take it personally if she doesn’t reply right away. As I’ve grown older, I’ve learned to take less for granted and to live more in the moment. She doesn’t need a parade every day — she just needs the steady, faithful love of her dad.
“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” – Ephesians 6:4
Let’s face it — anyone can father a child, but being a dad requires intentional love. We live in a world where shows like Paternity Court exist to untangle biological ties, but DNA doesn’t define devotion. Some men are absent, some fight the wrong battles, and others show up halfway. The child, sadly, carries the cost of that lack of love and effort.
That’s why I’m also grateful for my daughter’s mom. Co-parenting isn’t always easy, but we’ve both made sure that our daughter knows she’s deeply loved from both sides. There isn’t much drama because we share one goal — what’s best for her. Divorce didn’t end my calling to be her dad; it just gave me new opportunities to prove it.
Being a dad is something profoundly beautiful. It’s a passion, a calling. Sometimes it feels one-sided, but it’s always worth it. It’s showing up. It’s listening. It’s guiding with grace and patience. It’s investing your time, your prayers, and your presence into a heart that’s still being shaped.
“The righteous who walks in his integrity—blessed are his children after him!” – Proverbs 20:7
Since the divorce, I’ve dated other women — some with children, some without. When things seemed to be heading long-term, I wanted to invest in those kids too. That’s sacred ground, though — because when someone has children, your relationship involves more hearts than your own. I’ve considered it a blessing when a child saw me as a dad-like figure.
When you open your heart to love, God often surprises you with blessings far greater than what you dreamed or imagined. My bairn sees how I love, how I show up — and she recognizes that same effort in how I love my girlfriend. Seeing life through her eyes humbles me daily.
If you’re blessed to be a father, don’t stop there. Be the dad.
Make your children a priority. Love them. Invest in them. Be their safe space. Build trust, be genuine, be honest.
My daughter has seen me at my worst — moments when life felt heavy, when I was coming apart at the seams — and she still loves me. That’s grace.
I don’t have it all together. I’ve had bad days, weeks, even months where I’ve stumbled and fallen short. But I’m thankful to God that I haven’t caused lasting harm. I’m thankful He keeps shaping me — just as I try to shape her.
“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.” – Proverbs 22:6
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
Being a dad has taught me more about the Father’s heart than any sermon ever could. His love is patient, forgiving, steadfast — even when we don’t deserve it. And that’s the model I strive to follow, imperfectly but earnestly, every day.
Soli Deo Gloria — to God alone be the glory.
TMDPB - The Modern Day Parables Blog 