The sacrifice and commitment of an amazing father


Why is a father so important in a childs life? A real man will never neglect his duties to his children, he will always protect and guide them, and he will show them Gods love through correction when needed always with tenderness and patience. To have a man in your life growing up to set an example and guide you is something that is far more important than I can stress. After your grown and are given in marriage there is a new man who generally will fill the role of man in your life and eventually if your blessed with children that man will be the father of your children. I am blessed with a father who keeps me grounded in my faith, encourages me to be the best I can at everything, and most importantly lets me know when I am wrong.

My father worked shift work in a oil refinery when I was growing up which means he was in and out. He still spent plenty of time with us because until 8th grade we were home schooled by my mother. (When I say we I mean myself and my two sisters, we are all one year apart in age and I am the middle) In the eighth grade I was not only facing the daily reality of not having my sisters as my classmates but also my parents unloaded the bomb on us that they were getting a divorce.

To say it was a rough year is an understatement. While taking the time to process the new life I was getting ready to face I walked downstairs into the kitchen for a drink, everyone was really doing there own thing that day, when I walked in the kitchen I saw my dad sitting at the counter eating alone before he had to go to work. In that moment the thing that flashed in my mind was this was how he would be all the time now, alone eating and working all so we could have what we needed. Needless to say my choice in that moment was made, I would live with him.

Ever since that day my dad has been my rock. He has always let me know if I was wrong, he has always been there if I came upon hard times financially, and finally he has made sure I understand God is number one. Even into adulthood he purchased a home that was related living when I was struggling to make ends meat in an apartment with a baby at the age of 20.

Its only been 5 years since I married again and moved out of that house and he is still in that house. He says he has the other house downstairs just in case any of us girls need it. I clean his house now once a week so I don’t have to work and I can stay home with my children, even though he could clean it on his own he knows it helps me. The level of his self sacrifice for our well being is a true example of a father and a small taste to help understand how deep Gods love for us as his children really is.

I truly could go on and on about the man who raised three daughters into great women who understand Gods will for a home. I could tell story after story about lessons he taught me that helped me become who I am. For a long time he was both my father and mother, even though I went to my moms in my teens but it was not my home. My father is the reason I fully understand Gods love as well and his role in my life. This is less because it was taught (which it was) and more because my father always guided me and loved me no matter how much I messed things up throughout my life, at the age of 35 with 4 children he still does that to this day.

Erin L Andrews

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