This is the first Father’s Day I can ever remember not spending with my Dad, Tiffin Hubbard. I grew up in a family environment that I sometime took for granted; only later in life did I realize that not everyone has a relationship with their father like I have. I’ve been extremely blessed to have a godly leader who thinks about his family before himself. Not everyone has that and I want to make sure to never take it for granted again. Since I am away from my dad on this day of honoring, I have a limited number of options of how I can show my appreciation for him. I can’t afford to have something special shipped to his house, I’m not able to go home for a surprise visit, but in Romans 13:7 we are told to give others the “honor that we owe them.” And so I settled on writing this blog. Not so that I can make a list of reasons why “my dad is better than your dad” or so I can tell the world “how much I miss him today.” There is nothing wrong with that per say, but I have a different agenda. I want to be a good steward of the life I’ve been given. Therefore I have in mind to share with you the reasons why I respect my father so much. Maybe someone reading this will find a small insight in my words.
1) My earthly father is human . . . and he knows it– when we were kids we all thought our dads were invincible, yeah? Well the problem is when you grow up you find out that your parents, no matter how godly, still make mistakes. But sometimes they continue to try and make you believe they are perfect in order to keep that superhero persona alive. Not my father. I’ve seen my dad admit to being wrong, I’ve seen him let things go even when he was “right.” When he messes up he will step up, not run away. He is not always right, but he is humble. This makes him a more powerful man than any CEO or president in the country.
2) My earthly father loves his wife– 30 years together and I promise you it’s not because my parents agree on everything. I am a first-hand witness to the fact that my parents don’t have a flawless marriage. But there is a difference between two people who think they are marrying the perfect person and two imperfect people choosing to love each other in marriage. A lifelong relationship means loving each other sacrificially. As the husband my father is called to pursue his wife in the same way Christ pursues His church. My dad still dates my mom after 30 years of marriage. He is imperfect, but he is perfect for her.
3) My earthly father imitates his heavenly Father– this is the most valuable characteristic any man can ever have. My dad is fully aware of the fact that he cannot be a good father or husband without God. It’s true that without Jesus he could probably still be a “decent” man who never hits his kids or yells at his wife . . . But a good man does not only refrain from the evil, he sets an example in the righteous. A man leading his wife and children must also be following the Lord or he will fall and take them with him. My dad doesn’t want me to be like him, he wants me to be like Christ. Because he follows Jesus I can follow him.
For you women (who have read this) don’t settle for anyone less than a man who loves Jesus Christ more than he loves you. For you men, step up. Be the man of God that you were created to be. Your ability to love the Lord with all your heart is not contingent on what anyone says about you. Don’t try to earn respect, but be respectable. Don’t try to earn trust, but be trustworthy. Lead others by following Christ.
To my dad on Father’s Day: “Tiffin Hubbard, I am incredibly blessed to be able to call you my father. Your example to me of how to be a man of God is the most valuable gift you’ve ever given. I don’t expect you to be perfect just like you’ve never expected me to be. Your love and support have meant more to me than you could ever know. I will never forget all the time and money you invested in just my running career alone over the past 8 years. I remember one day my senior year when you stood on the track in the middle of a tornado just so I could practice (in a torrential downpour) for my upcoming meet . . . You were grinning because I’d hit my times running against the wind. Memories like that will forever be imprinted on my mind reminding me of the sacrifices you make every day for your family. If I love my future family half as well as you have loved me I will probably consider myself a saint.
‘Thank you’ seems so empty of the gratitude I have for the way you walk out your role in my life. I know that I can never repay you for what you have invested in me thus far and more than that I know you would never want me to. But this I can promise . . . because of the ways you have shown me God’s love, I will forever be pursuing a more intimate relationship with Him. If on the day you go Home you have nothing in this world save 9 children who love the Lord their God, you will be an incredible rich man. May the Lord bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you and give you peace, may He be gracious to you and turn His face to you, today and every day.”
Dad, I love you and I’m proud of you. Happy Father’s Day!
My Father's Son,
Tanner Hubbard
