Familyman weekly—Say Cheeeese!

I want to give a big Familyman welcome to all the dads who heard about us on Focus on the Family. But, to those of you have no clue who I am…let me just say, your wife signed you up for this very manly…SHORT, weekly newsletter. Now I won’t go preaching at you because I’m a dad just like you. I blow it way more than I succeed, but I never give up, and I’ll encourage you to do the same.

Okay, enough formalities…welcome to the team. You’re part of something BIG!!

Just to bring all of you up to speed; we leave today for our big speaking loop. The Familyman Mobile is out of the starting gate, and we’ll be gone for the whole month of October (see schedule below). If you remember, I could use your prayers because I know that every trip rises and falls on my very dad-ish shoulders. If I hold it together and flow with the punches, it’s going to be a great month, BUT if I get my nose bent out of shape…things can get mighty ugly.

Actually, I want to be the kind of dad I saw along the highway a couple of weeks ago. I don’t know who they were…but I was driving along minding my own business, when I saw two kids standing in front of the Welcome to Indiana sign beside the road.

It looked like a poster: two, embarrassed boys with fake smiles as a dad and mom took their picture in front of the state sign. I can just hear the dad moments before, “Yes, we’re going to stop and take your picture in front of the sign…I know it’s a pain, but you’re doing it…you’ll thank me one day.” Then they pulled over, ran to their positions and said, “Cheeeezzzzeee.”

Forty years from now, they’ll look back and think, Dad was right.

I’m telling you, I want to be a dad who stops even when it’s a pain because it’s worth it. Most of the time I don’t take the time…because it’s too hard, and then both my children and I miss out on a great family experience. So Dad, next time that still, small voice in your head says, “Stop and do it.”Stop and do IT!!!! It’ll be worth it. I guarantee.

Smile and say, “You ‘da dad.”