If you’re a dad who is working hard to love his kids and their mom, today we celebrate you. A father is a position created by God that only a man can fulfill, and God created your role to bring order into chaos. Without you, your kids wouldn’t have somebody to read them a story at night, to give them a sense of security. Without you, your daughters might doubt there could be a man out there who could love them the way you love their mom. Without you, there would be a wound in the soul of your children, and a wound in the soul of your wife, too.
I hope you take some time today to think about how much better you are making the world around you. I know it can be tough sometimes, and I know the world goes out of its way to celebrate lesser men, but stick it out and do the hard work because the truly rich blessings in this life go to the ones who endure in quiet goodness.
Here’s a verse that comes to mind as I think about the responsibility of fathers. It’s from Genesis 4:
“The Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.”
So that’s the call of a Father, to do well, and to rule over the sin that, without you, would no doubt rule over your family. May God give you the strength and endurance necessary to create a better world for those you love. It’s a noble calling, to be a dad. Way to go, Dads!
If you’re not a dad yet, but you’d like to help shape order out of chaos, consider mentoring a child. You can learn more about an initiative I started many years ago called The Mentoring Project here.
Great post.
May God’s richest blessings be upon you as you have waded through the hardships of not having a dad, and, by the grace of God, made it “to the other side” quite the man in spite of it, or maybe even a better man for it…(what God does through pain and heartache is quite amazing!)
My prayer for my son has been from Genesis 50 and the story of Joseph. “You meant to harm me, but God has used it to save many.” (paraphrasing a bit)
I would have to say that prayer has been used in your life…God has used you to rewrite the role of men, the necessity of Godly men, and my role as a woman to recognize that.
Thanks for being a beacon for families, and may His grace be ever present as you start your own.
Father’s Day is tomorrow my friend.
Good post. Thank you for the encouragement.
Excellent post. Read some about your mentoring project, too. Going to plug it tomorrow at church.
Don, I love your statement: “A father is a position created by God that only a man can fulfill.” My dad was a Godly influence in my life. I wrote a tribute to him on my blog today: http://bit.ly/msfluG
Can’t wait for you to have your first one here in a year or two
…..btw, rode home with your mom on the plane from Storyline….what a sweet lady! Thanks all you do with The Mentoring Project. I’m on the board of Friends for Youth here in Denver and we’re talking with John about partnering up on some mentoring efforts in Colorado!
Donald,
You said, “the sin that, without you, would no doubt rule over your family”
Does this put too much on fathers? They aren’t THE FATHER!
You didn’t grow up with your father, but I doubt your mother was entirely ineffectual at protecting you from the rule of sin. And your Heavenly Father has been with you all along. Not trying to argue or criticize; I simply have a motherly concern for you, that you may be putting entirely too heavy a yoke upon YOURSELF, assuming you will someday be a father.
Please read http://deeperstory.com/a-letter-to-the-girl-without-a-father/
i have read blue like jazz, and it inspried me to do so much in my life, i am only 17 now and have an amazing relationship with christ, and blue like jazz motivated me. i am now reading searching for god knows what, and i am almost done and this one made me think a lot about the way i think and how i look at others. when i get done with this bok i plan on reading youre newest one a million miles in a thousand years because i never had a father either, and still dont. but reading your books and getting closer to christ has truly inspired me to do some hopefully great things in my life. i hope to see you on july 25th here in daytona beach. thank you so much donald miller! god has put you and your books in my life for a reason and you have taught me soo much! thanks again,
Jone Minarcin
Don,
Thank you for this today. I needed to hear it, though I didn’t know it until I read it. Of your blog entries I’ve read, and that’s quite a few, I think this is the most beautiful. Of course, it’s personal. I have two close-to-being-grown kids and my wife and myself have struggled in unexpected ways this last year or more with our daughter. At times, I regret to say, it was to the point where I wanted to help her pack a bag. You’re opening line hit my heart where it needed it. I’m deeply flawed but making that honest effort to grow, mature, release insecurity, and love better.
It’s easy to believe many days that no difference is being made. I know in my heart that’s not the case, but at times my sadness over not having the relationship I want with her lead me down that path.
Thanks again for your words.
All the best to you,
Sean
Great words: rule over sin… order out of chaos… strength and endurance… create a better world. I’m a newly-single mom and just ended my first post-divorce relationship for reasons I couldn’t quite define, but after reading this now I know: He lacked those qualities that make a great (step) dad, words you defined so well.
[...] http://donmilleris.com/2011/06/18/happy-fathers-day-everybody/ [...]
I’m so happy to have a person like you who put His time to help those fatherless and reminding us as a father our role in our own family. Thank you and may the Lord God bless you more in your ministry.
No need to post, but I just had to share: When I heard you speak 3 yrs ago in Kelowna, BC I was awestruck b/c I’d never heard or seen anyone like you before. You renewed my faith in men & made me want to be a better woman. Your blog is so funny, serious, different & too much information. I’ve had a hard time crossing the river, but your blog, books & your talks have been important to my journey. I’ve been in specialized trauma counselling for nearly 2 yrs. The Sept Storyline Conference helped me to keep moving fwd. with my sessions. Just so stubborn & proud-I am. With God all things are possible. Thank you for your courage, strength & enthusiasm. Healing gently by the grace of God, Dominique. Be free (just in case it’s nice to hear).
Nothing has ever left me in complete disbelief, until I became a dad, and repeatedly find myself watching my kids until time is lost. What a gift. It is the word of God, the love you feel for your children.
And to all fathers, many who are amazing, but if they are even there have done a great deal already. With the fatherless children increasing, cheers to dads who show up day after day. You can’t realize how important you are, what feelings of security and protection you bring to hearts, how much you are admired and imitated and adored, how much you are needed, how much you are loved, how you are longed for and sought after. Your loving presence is the pinnacle of stability in families and your lack thereof causes the downfall. You are desperately needed. And though we women are often afraid to depend, to trust, to follow — we desperately, desperately need you. Don’t leave. Don’t look elsewhere. Fear not. Stand firm. Be present.
You deserve the deepest reverence. Thank you.
Check this out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOKuSQIJlog
Dude… Thanks.