Recently, I’ve been reading a book called Mansfield’s Book of Manly Men. The book was given to my teammate and friend, Josiah Harden, by our squad leader Nic. Once Josiah finished the book, he lent it to me for a read.
I’m not about to write a blog about the book. Josiah has already done that (check it out; it’s worth a read), and I haven’t yet finished the book. What I really mean to do is write a thank you letter to my own dad.
You see, my dad is one of the best men I’ve ever known in my life. I’m not so naive as to think that every kid has a great dad. It’s a sad trend in our society that dad’s are often not in the picture at all or are emotionally absent from their family. This is one of the issues that Mansfield talks about in his book, but again, I’m not here to write a blog about the book.
I want to say thank you Dad.
Reading this book, I’ve come to realize how great of a man you truly are. Not to say that I didn’t know you were great before, but the book has given me a new perspective of your incredible character.
Thank you for acting. You don’t just sit around and talk about what is to be a man. You’ve shown me what it is. You taught me how to treat women by the way you treat Mom. You taught me how to overcome disastrous actions by humbling yourself and knowing you need help from beyond yourself. I’m almost too young to remember, but I know our family wouldn’t be the same had you not chosen to change and overcome. You taught me what it means to work hard. In everything you do, you have an unmatched work ethic. Not only in your own work and business where you’ve become an fantastic franchise owner, but even around our home where you work to keep the yard looking nice and home looking clean after we kids make a mess of it every day. You’ve taught me more than you know without saying a single word; you’ve just acted.
Thank you for “tending your field” as Mansfield puts it. Everything you do, you do for us. You took a leap of faith in starting your own business, so that you could both do something you are passionate about and build a life for your family. I was in middle school when you started, and I have watched the good that’s come from your faith. You tend to your business as such an effective leader and owner that the business has grown enormously since you started it. Because of your hard work, you’ve provided hugely for our family. You do more than just provide financially, though. You fill our family with love and joy every day. You support us in every good decision and love us and teach us through every bad decision. You make us laugh every day with your quick wit and sense of humor. You are a provider and defender for everything which you are responsible.
Thank you for building me. I’ve been able to see what a true man looks like because of you. Like I said before, you taught me so much just by the way you acted as a father, husband, worker, and leader. If not for your example, I wouldn’t have any idea how to be a man. You’ve built me and molded into a man simply because you are a manly man yourself.
Thank you for glorifying God. You live your life intentionally for God every day. You don’t just take us to church as a family, you serve in the church every week, and you serve with joy. You trusted God with starting your business, and I know you know that you would never have made it this far without trusting God. I’ve seen how humble your are in that success. You know it wasn’t you. You let God have the glory, and you honor God so much in that humility. You are truly a man of God.
So thank you Dad. You’ve shown me how to be a man. Without you, I wouldn’t be the man I am today.
I could go on for endless pages about things I have to thank you for, but for now I will stop and simply say, thank you Dad. I love you.
