No Off Season...for dads

It was late.  I was putting my youngest to bed.  I took a moment to put my head on his chest to listen to his heartbeat.  Steady pound, rhythmic, soothing.  I was looking at him in his eyes as he lay with a little smile on his face.  He was looking at me closely when he noticed something.  "Dad, you have a scar over your eye." "Remember where I told you I got it from?", I said. "Oh yea.  You got it from your old house." I grew up in Decatur, Georgia in a house off of Glenwood Road off of I-285 (I know you didn't need to know all of that). Well, one day I was home with my dad playing in the house.  I was small, so our house seemed rather large to me, better yet, gigantic! So, I took off running in the house up and down the hall.  "Son, don't run in the house.", said my dad. That went in one ear and out the other so quickly.  I kept running.  Running.  I looked back as my dad yelled out again for me to stop running. I...

By the time you read this, my oldest son would have turned 13 years old.  Thirteen!   I HAVE A TEENAGER! Somebody ring the alarm!!!!  My mouth is open in amazement. I remember the night before, rushing out the house, breaking every traffic law racing to get to the hospital.  He was born at exactly 12 noon.  And now...he's thirteen. Reflecting for a moment... I have been seriously thinking about what to say to him, what prolific speech to give.  He's very intelligent with lots of success so far.  He is a leader, very vocal and loves to be around his friends.  He's athletic and loves to play and watch sports.  So, what can I tell him as a dad to inspire him and challenge his life and character?  There was one thought that God put on my mind... Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress ...

Dads, I cannot begin to tell you how important it is to have real relationships.  It's great to have 'my boy' or hangout buddies, but there is no replacement for having someone that you can confide in, completely trust, and generally love.  Someone you feel safe leaving your most precious possessions with- your heart, your family, your emotions. This is usually not the case with most men, at least with me.  I was and still am very much an introvert.  But I know that I need my friends.  And guess what, I know my friends need me.   Picture taken from article in Art of Manliness  I know I have written about this already, but I feel this needs to be a reminder and a spur into our hearts, even mine as I write this.  Whether you want to believe it or not, you cannot do this life on your own.  You cannot raise your children on your own.  You cannot be the best husband on your own laurels; you cannot be a succes...

Image by © Simon Jarratt/Corbis My boys are growing up!  They are starting school again and they are more than elated.  They are putting on the final touches of gathering all of their school materials.  We are putting them (or at least trying) in the bed a little earlier to get them accustomed to the schedule.  Homerooms have been assigned and ALL 7, 263 school events  have been planned.  I've only put in about 3 in my calendar; I've got some work to do, huh?  Back to school night(s), PTA's, play dates and hangouts, meetings, etc.  It could be overwhelming if you think too hard.  Let's not forget that one is starting middle school -- that's a whole other blog. Mothers are usually involved in their child's life, especially when it comes to their education.  I often times see  fathers very much in tuned with their work and careers.  That is extremely admirable and necessary.  It is importa...

I love the fact that I have some really good friends who give sound advice. In a quick conversation, I received so much wisdom. I have a friend who told me he was studying the book of Job. In the first chapter, Job prayed for each of his children by name and was very specific.  He prayed for each one specifically each day.  My friend, (let's give him a name -- Big Frank) started the same routine as Job.  He began praying for his kids and family according to their specific needs and desires.  As he prays, he thinks about where they are and what they are possibly doing at that time. Big Frank said these in-depth prayers have brought him so much closer to his family. This was so elementary and yet very profound. I pray for my boys often times superficially: “God, protect my boys.”, or “God, give my boys wisdom and keep them safe.” I am now striving to pray specific prayers. I now pray about my oldest son’s schooling, developing frien...

The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000 casualties. My youngest son and I traveled about 90 minutes to Antietam for a camping trip with his Cub Scout troop.  I walked the grounds and felt an eerie peace.  The grounds were hollowed, respected, and sacred.  Evidence of the war was still scattered across the huge battlefield.  My son walked with me over the grounds asking a variety of questions, seemingly relevant to the aura of the area.  We later reached the campgrounds the other scouts were running around having a blast, learning and experiencing the joys of camping.  The campfire was started, games were played, and some even went deer hunting (no guns, of coarse!).  It rained heavily that night and into the morning....