I felt compelled to share my inspiration, my reason for sharing this fatherhood journey and why I take it so seriously.  It’s important to know where you’ve come from and acknowledge all those who have helped make you  who are you…this is my inspiration…

I’m inspired by my parents who raised me in a loving and nurturing home.  My Dad inspires me as he gave up a job he loved to be closer to his children and to be able to coach us and not miss our games.  My Mom inspires me as she became so passionate about the things we were passionate about, making sure to be there every game and encouraging and investing in us as we chased our dreams.  My parents inspire me because they were awesome parents and I want my children to think of me how I think of them.

I’m inspired by my Grandpa.  His generosity, his storytelling, his spirit.  They continue to live on in my memory and continue to inspire me to this day.

I’m inspired by my siblings, my sister for her loving, caring heart and my brother because he has always inspired me to be better.  Born when I was eight, I credit him for helping to inspire my love of being around young children and my ability to entertain and relate with little kids. My brother also inspired me by the way he looked up to me…imitated me…wanted to be around me.  It was my job to be a good role model and he inspired me to take careful steps and to never give him someone to be disappointed in.  One of the hardest things I’ve had to do in my life was go off to college and know that I was going to miss a lot of him growing up.  I’m inspired by what an awesome man he has become and what amazing things he is going to do.

I’m inspired by the parents whom I gained by  marriage.  How they have loved and accepted me as their own from day one has really inspired and strengthened me.  They affirmed me and encouraged me and supported me.  They are my family.  So too each pair of grandparents I gained by marriage.  Their love and support of each other and of me continues to inspire me.  I’m also quite inspired by the amazing new dadness  and momness being shown by my brother and sister-in-law, and how smitten they are with their adorable little girl.

I’m inspired by Roland C. Warren and his book Bad Dads of the Bible.  When I was learning about being a dad this is one of the first books I came across and it is still easily my favorite fatherhood book.  This is the book that began this journey of talking about fathering and wanting to share fathering with other dads.  This book first gave me the inspiration to look at fatherhood as more than just my role with my son but also as a passion.

I’m inspired by the dads who join me once a month on Saturdays and have helped me not feel alone in this journey.  From a small group of three friends getting together to now double that, I am so grateful to each and every dad that has been a part of this with me.  It is my favorite thing that I do, and I just hope and pray that you receive half as much inspiration from it as I do from each of you.

I’m inspired by Daddy Doin’ Work…he is a cool dad  doing great things for fatherhood and I really enjoy reading his posts and stories.

I’m inspired by any dad I see working hard, showing love, being there for the kids…I just love it and it always makes me smile.

I’m inspired by my wife.  She is an outstanding woman and an amazing mom.  She is the reason I get to be a dad.  She is my perfect parenting partner and I cannot imagine doing this job without her.  She is strong, she is resilient, she is loving, she is intelligent and she has a servant’s heart.  Our son is so blessed to be able to spend almost every moment of his life so far with her…I know it is shaping him in a tremendously positive way.

I’m inspired by my incredible son.  I take so seriously my job of being his dad.  It will have a profound impact on his life and who he becomes.  That is both incredibly inspiring and truly terrifying…but I am up for the challenge.  Because I know that he is so worth it.  My passion my inspiration comes from many places…but it all starts with him.  It may sound strange, but I honestly believe that I was born to be a dad.  All of my life I’ve been training, I’ve been watching, I’ve been learning…it’s all for this…my purpose…to be a great dad.

I’m inspired by my child on the way.  I cannot wait to meet them and be inspired all over again.  I know that there are many challenges in store but I cannot wait to see how my heart grows and melts for a tiny human all over again.  I cannot wait to be your dad little one.

I’m inspired by my God and Savior Jesus.  I am so blessed and so thankful to have been given this opportunity and to have been so blessed with good health thus far.  My Heavenly Father is the greatest fatherhood example there is and while my goal is perfection like His…how I will truly be measured is how I handle when I fall short.  Thank you God for this wonderful gift and for being by my side the whole way.

This is fatherhood…

and sometimes it’s long…I’m sorry, I promise these won’t all be novels…I guess you could say I was…inspired 🙂