Ten years ago, he probably wouldn't have expected to get married when he did, let alone be a father of 4 at age 25. I'm sure he never anticipated being the father that he is and I know he never could have prepared for losing a child. Regardless of the plans and expectations he may have had, he has committed to growing in whatever situation God has placed him in.
Words cannot express my love, gratitude, pride and respect for my man. He is constantly putting others before himself, sacrificing his time (including going to work on Father's Day), and he is teaching me, and our littles, to do the same.
Just as Christ did not come to be served, but to serve (Matthew 20:28), we should learn to serve others in the same sacrificial way. My husband has given our family one of the best examples of that servanthood -- a Father's Day tradition that he started two years ago. It inevitably leaves me with all the feels and in tears (of joy).
P R O C E S S
He sits us down, one-by-one, starting with the youngest and ending with me, his wifey. He tells each of us things he loves about us and ways that he is proud of us. He also makes a commitment to speak our "love language," to show us love in different ways as we individually need. He then proceeds to wash each of our feet.
Some of you may be thinking that it's weird, disgusting or degrading, but let me tell you what it means to us.
M E A N I N G
He has decided to lay down his self-seeking pride to love and serve others. It is such a beautiful picture of the love that God has for us. It's an act of service that Christ himself performed for his disciples and encouraged us to do for others.
When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. -- John 13:12-17
2O15 E X P E R I E N C E
This year's Father's Day was looking extremely different for us with our youngest being in the NICU (because she decided to come 3 months early), but that didn't stop Dean from pursuing his tradition.
We had no idea what that day was going to look like or if we would even be able to have our kids together. The Lord has blessed us with a hospital staff that is, not only tolerant, but encouraging. We were able to continue with the tradition, despite our daughter being hooked to multiple machines and our youngest son not being allowed in her room. We were given an exception, just this once, for "religious reasons."
It was as beautiful as it always has been and I was able to snap a few pictures this year.
We had no idea what that day was going to look like or if we would even be able to have our kids together. The Lord has blessed us with a hospital staff that is, not only tolerant, but encouraging. We were able to continue with the tradition, despite our daughter being hooked to multiple machines and our youngest son not being allowed in her room. We were given an exception, just this once, for "religious reasons."
It was as beautiful as it always has been and I was able to snap a few pictures this year.
