What Does It Mean to Be A Daddy?

Those who know me understand I have had a rather interesting life to this point. I believe in living life to its fullest and have often told Ree to inscribe “He had fun” on my tombstone should I leave this world. I have been blessed in that I have seen a lot of places and met a lot of people. I had the privilege of being brought up by two of the most interesting people that I have ever known, and I have the honor of becoming Daddy to two of the absolute best people I have ever known…”my girls” as I call them.

It matters not that our surnames don’t match. It matters not that our DNA doesn’t match. Oddly, our blood types do match; along with our hair color and eye color. When I was dating their mother, I knew they were part of the package. I was ok with that. It saddens me that the person who is biologically obligated to fill this role shows no interest. At the same time I am just fine with that. I was brought up in a household of “steps” and never realized it until I was older. We were all “JW’s kids” and that’s the way it was.

I was once asked by an acquaintance how I could raise kids who were not my own. The question offended me. I once heard of a couple who have conflict because the husband says he cannot love a child he did not father. How sad! How very sad! The very God of the universe chose a step-parent to be daddy to His only begotten Son. He thought enough of Joseph to ensure young Jesus would have the upbringing He needed to shape his human form into the Man that God would need. If you choose to call me a “step” parent, then I am in good company. Personally I do not use the term on a regular basis. I know two little blondes who are just fine with that.

I love serving in the role of Daddy and I take it very seriously. I want them to be brought up like their mom and I were, with old fashioned values and work-ethics. I also want them to know who we are…to understand us…to appreciate the legacy that they will claim someday…and most importantly to know about our Heavenly “Daddy”. I thoroughly enjoy parenting. It is without a doubt the toughest but most rewarding task I have ever undertaken.

You would think there would be no paternal bond but I beg to differ. We get each other. We know each other. Once our mutual trust and understanding was built, we have continued to positively reinforce it. I am tough I’ll admit. They would tell you that too. They would also tell you I am fair and that I dote on them. They would most likely tell you they would have it no other way.

My girls don’t worry about where the next meal is coming from. They don’t have to worry about clothing or shelter. All they need be concerned with is studying and making good grades, obeying their parents, being respectful, doing their chores, and serving the Lord. We don’t allow answers that do not contain the words “sir” or “maam”. We don’t allow text messaging during family time or church fellowship. We do not allow the current Hannah Montana dress code or the current language patterns of the popular kid’s TV shows.

As parents we fully understand that God will hold us accountable for how we reared these kids. As the priest of my household, I know that I will have to answer to Almighty God and I do not take that lightly. We take full charge and responsibility for our kids and when I observe them in interaction with other kids, I will admit being very proud even if a bit biased. One day I may have a rude awakening as they say…or perhaps not. (Proverbs 22:6)

One evening not too long ago, my little one wanted to ask me a question. I sat down next to her wondering what was coming and hoping it wasn’t something I would have trouble explaining. She looked up at me with those innocent eyes and asked if she could call me “Daddy”. Thank goodness the tissues were close by the bed because I soon needed them. At that moment, I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else or anyone else. I feel as if God felt that same way the night I knelt and asked for forgiveness of my sins…the night I asked to join His family and call HIM my Father. The night I asked if I could identify myself as one of His own.

As a Christian of Gentile heritage, having not been born into the Hebrew line, I am by Biblical definition adopted. I don’t consider myself an adopted child, a step child, or anything less than a child of the Most High God. (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6) Just as my girls are now part of my family heritage, I am a part of God’s. Just as my girls receive from me to meet their needs, I receive from Him. Through that spirit of adoption, I can cry “Abba Father” just as Jesus did! Can you get your carnal mind to fully process that? I can’t.

I know that I don’t worry about where my next meal is coming from or fret about clothing and shelter. I know that if He cares enough to put my tears in a bottle, then He will take good care of me. (Psalm 56:8, Luke 12:22-32). I know that I am grafted into His royal lineage and the devil cannot change that. I know that He is coming back for me someday if I don’t go to see Him first. I know that even if my physical carnal world falls around me like a house of cards, He has it all under control. I am thankful that my earthly Daddy was a man larger than life to me…and that my Heavenly Daddy IS life to me.

As Christmas nears and we place our focus on the Christ child, I cannot help but think also of Joseph. Here was a man who found out his fiancée was pregnant out of wedlock; and not by him. He was then told by an angel that the Child was of the Holy Ghost, marry her anyway, and things are going to work out. This tells us that Joseph was a man of faith. Why else would he have understood, believed and obeyed the voice of the angel?

By faith, Joseph took the lady and married her, putting away his own needs and desires. (Matthew 1:18-25) By faith, Joseph carried her to Bethlehem for the census, to present her as his own for the world to see. Surely he struggled deep inside with what people would think. Surely it pained him to be turned away from inn after inn while his wife waited patiently, and close to labor. (Luke 2:7) Joseph simply kept his focus on his mission. My friend if you don’t seem to be getting “fresh” instructions from God, go back to the last thing He told you to do and start there.

While there are no stories in the Gospels to back this up, I like to imagine a young Jesus growing up with Joseph. Even knowing He had a Heavenly Father, I would envision young Jesus calling Joseph “Daddy”. I’ll spin this into modern times for the sake of discussion. Travel with me in your mind to Joseph’s household on any typical spring day.
We see them tossing a baseball back and forth. “That’s a good pitch Jesus!” “Thanks Dad!”

Later, Mary watches from the kitchen window as Joseph teaches his Son how to use the tools of the carpenter’s trade. Joseph does not even realize, as he runs his hand over a piece of timber that someday the Child he has raised as his own will die on a timber much like this one. Surely Jesus knew and could not break His Daddy’s heart by hinting at His future. “That’s a fine piece of wood Dad. It will make a nice curio cabinet for Mom’s birthday.” Joseph smiles and reaches for his plane. “Son, here is how you hold this tool.”

Jesus comes in the house one day crying. “Daddy I tripped and fell and my arm hurts” he says through his human tears. All too often we forget that while Jesus was indeed God in the flesh, He was also very much human. Joseph wraps him in his arms and kisses him gently. “There there Son, it’s gonna be alright. Wonder why they call that a funny bone when it’s not funny at all.” Young Jesus smiles at Joseph, thankful for the man His Father chose to bring Him up. Joseph was quite a man. If the God of the Universe chooses you to rear His only Son, that says a lot about your character!

With that in mind, if the God of the Universe chooses you to represent His only Son (Matthew 28: 18-20), what does that say about your character? Merry Christmas and may God richly bless you and yours…and He will…He says so in His Word.

Where is that Scripture reference you ask? Look it up…it is found somewhere between “Genesis and maps”.