Snow was piled high at the sides of the road, but the faithful plows had gone ahead of us, and our car trudged along. We were deep in the woods, trying desperately to get to the cottage…. just dad, my brother and I. Thoughts of packing the woodstove with crumpled paper and logs drifted through my mind. Closer, closer, closer…
And the car stopped. Apparently, the plows had stopped as well. We had come to a spot where the road made a sharp turn to the right, and mounds of snow in the lane greeted us. Dad quietly and confidently turned off the engine, and calmly let us know that we’d going the rest of the way on foot…. across the lake.
Beautiful Portage Lake was well frozen by this point in the winter! Any concerns of going through the ice were minimal. However, the lake was covered in deep snow. Very deep snow. And my legs were short. Very short.
We grabbed just the items that we would need for our overnight adventure, and headed toward the lake’s edge. Dad was in the lead, followed by myself, with my brother bringing up the rear.
As we began our trek across the lake, I quickly realized that if I placed my feet in the large, size thirteen footprints of my father, that I was safe. Those footprints had already packed down the snow to where I could handle it…. they were heading in the direction of safety and security, ’cause Dad knew where he was going …. and they were even being placed carefully not too far apart, so that I could reach and follow along.
Many winters have come and gone since that day, along with many dads, including my own.
Dads…. this message is for you. Just you. From my heart to yours.
This world is in desperate need of fathers who are willing to take the lead, leaving carefully placed footprints. All the programs, laws, sermons and classrooms will never take the place of you, dad. As women clamor for their rights and due positions, although well deserved and ethically belong to them, they need to be careful as they climb the rungs to success, that they don’t stand on the fingers of the dads, leaving them unable to be all that they were designed to be.
So Dad…
When you leave work early, turning a deaf ear to disgruntled clients, to be at your kid’s softball game, you have taught them dedication.
When you turned the TV off, pulled your little one close on the couch, and read “The Little Engine That Could” for the eighth time that night, you have taught them selflessness.
When you brought their mom a cup of tea, covered her up, and told her that you hope she feels better soon, you have taught your young one compassion.
When after your family finished their meal, you reached for your Bible, and read timeless truth to those gathered near you, you have taught them godliness.
When you regularly take your young one to church on Sunday, whether the lawn is mowed or not, you have taught them priorities.
When you notice that you were undercharged for your purchases, and point it out to the clerk, as wondering eyes look on, you have taught them honesty.
When you say nothing as a driver cuts you off, and then slows down to a crawl in front of you, you have taught the young future drivers in the back seat self control.
When you leave to go to work, after being up the night before with a sleepless child, driving a rusted out car to a job where you feel invisible, you have taught them perseverance.
When you say a few, heartfelt words, standing at the toilet, for the funeral of a pet goldfish, you have taught your grieving little one sympathy.
When you take the time on your day off to have a cup of coffee with your aging parent, who won’t remember an hour later that you were there, you have taught you child devotion.
When you kneel at your bedside, pouring out your heart in prayer to your Heavenly Father, asking for wisdom as a dad, you have taught them dependence on God.
When you have said “no” a thousand times when you could have more easily said “yes”, you have taught them safety.
When you spend a few extra, priceless moments, at your child’s bedside, telling them that Jesus died for their sins, and wants them to be His child, you have taught them salvation.
When you have wept over your child’s body, as they were welcomed into the gates of Heaven, you have taught those around you submission.
When you open your door, and throw your arms around your child who wandered away and has returned home, knowing that you also wandered, you have taught them unconditional love.
Yes… when you place your footsteps carefully… oh, so carefully… following after God…and look over your shoulder behind you… you will see your little one, coming along…. following you… on their way to knowing Jesus, and a life well lived.
Thanks, Dads. Don’t give up. We need you, oh so much.
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