Have you taken your kids for granted recently? Have your kids been getting on your nerves? Are you feeling like you don’t have energy to carry out your fathering duties? Maybe you have better things to do? Maybe you feel like you put in a lot of time as a dad and you don’t see the big payoff.
These feelings are inevitable, but here’s a concept that just may help you count your blessings. Listen closely: There are a multitude of men who have wanted children of their own for years, but for some reason—who knows why—they are unable to do so.
That’s a sobering thought, isn’t it? Well, many of these men take steps to become fathers anyway.
They may be called “big brothers” or “surrogate father figures,” but they’re fathering just the same. They’re acting upon what I believe is a natural, God-given fathering instinct in every man. They know the importance—for themselves and for children—of bonding with a child, caring for him, encouraging him, teaching him about life.
Many join their wives in taking the steps to adopt. They become vulnerable to social service agencies. Their home life will be evaluated for its suitability to raise a child. Then they have to wait. One day they’ll get a promising call. Then more waiting. Finally, all the papers are signed, they have the baby home, and these men finally feel the indescribable joy at becoming what they’ve always wanted to be: a dad.
Here are men who would give anything—and sometimes do—to become fathers. It makes me wonder if the rest of us view our role as a father with that kind of commitment and dedication.
It’s tragic how often the rest of us take our children for granted, and don’t fulfill our responsibilities. We don’t grasp the daily blessings that children bring to our lives. It’s a privilege and honor to be a dad.
Today I want to thank those of you who stretch yourselves to be dads and father figures even though you’ve never had your own biological children. I admire your concern for the next generation and your willingness to play a role in the healing of our society. You are truly examples of what fathering is all about.
