I was fortunate enough to get to spend part of my Father’s Day on stage at our church for our daughter’s dedication. I am so blessed to be the Dad of two wonderful kids and I thank God daily for that opportunity. Below is what I shared in a blog post and what I originally said on Facebook about my son’s dedication back when he was just a few months old. I still feel that that the words I said then are the best way I can explain how I feel about this.

“I believe that God gave us all freewill, and my duty as a parent is not to impose my beliefs on my children, but rather to share what I believe and feel, and then support and guide them as they make their own decisions and go on their own journey. I can’t and won’t force them to believe what I believe and do what I do, but I will show them how I feel and what I think, and I will encourage them to discover their path and calling. I sincerely hope their lives in some way glorify him, and that they choose to follow him, but I will never ever stop loving them and being there for them no matter what they choose or decide. Without further ado here are my original thoughts (edited now to be addressed to my daughter)

My daughter…it was an honor to be up on that stage with you at your dedication at church today. We promise that we will always do our best to raise you in a Godly home and try to teach you what Christ has taught us. Know that you will always have the choice to choose your path; we hope and pray that it is the one God chooses for you, but no matter what we will always love and be there for you. We thank God for you every day and are so blessed to get to watch you grow up. We love you!”

This is fatherhood…