My children have the privilege of being loved and cared for by both their biological dad and my husband, their stepdad. Both of these men offer something positive in their journey toward becoming a man. Though their real dad loves and cares for our children very much, I am going to focus on my husband. We lost our first baby together a few months back, due to miscarriage. Though our baby we will not get to raise here, I look forward to it when we are all called home. Though he still is a dad here, through and through. My husband works six days a week and coaches our oldest’ baseball team. He treats our boys as though they were his own. Raising, guiding, protecting and loving them as such. It is a privilege to watch my husband be a father, even if not in the conventional form. Though our children do not call him dad, he is the epitome of the definition. Our kids are well aware of his sacrifices and his tender love and care toward them. I am sure they will be even more so appreciative as they age. My husband and I were recently informed that it is unsafe for me, to try having any more children of our own together. This has not been easy to hear or accept. Although, I am constantly reminded, that we are already blessed to be parents of two great kids. That although my husband does not share their DNA, he shares unconditional love with them every day. It is not through his DNA that has made my husband a father, it is in the love that he pours into our children every single day. I watch my oldest bond with my husband, in their own special way and I am so grateful for it. I watch my youngest say the same things my husband says. Good things, things I know that he has picked up from the example that my husband sets. I cannot say from a father’s perspective, what it is like to be one. I can say however, that I have the privilege of knowing an incredible one. For every time I look at my husband, I see a good man, I see the wonderful husband that I have been blessed with and I see a dad. One who loves our children, even though they share not the same blood. For being a father is less about DNA and everything about loving and leading the children that God has placed in these men’s lives; towards being good, godly men.

As I think of all the great men that I want to wish a Happy Father’s Day; I am reminded of my sincere gratitude towards our Father in Heaven. I do not want to imagine who I would be without God’s grace, guidance, provision, protection, care and love for me my whole life. As God has set the tone of what a true father is and does for His children. It is such a blessing to watch those that follow His instructions in the upbringing of our children He so graciously puts in our lives.

For all the dads that have stepped up, stepped in, and lead the children that God has placed in your lives, however that may be; I want to wish you all a very Happy Father’s Day. For you are all a gift in your children’s lives and what you do truly matters. For the greatest fathers are those which lead with love just as God has called. Just as God, so wonderfully leads us, His children, with a tremendous amount of love. To all you wonderful fathers, may you have a blessed Father’s Day. Thank you for the differences you make every day, in your children’s lives.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Proverbs 4:11-12 NIV

I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.

Proverbs 20:7 NIV

The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.

Deuteronomy 1:31 NIV

The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place.”