The Dad Box

I was fortunate to be able to speak at my home church on Father's Day 2012.  My topic was "The Dad Box".  You can watch the video on YouTube.

Every father builds a box that his children will eventually inherit and carry around in their own lives.  My dad was not perfect and The Dad Box I got from him has some stuff in it that I'd rather not have to lug around.

On the other hand, I've seen so many people in this world have a Dad Box that is crippling them.  It's ruining their lives and it's ruining the lives of people around them.  My sermon is especially directed at those of you with Dad Boxes that you can't bear to carry anymore.   I hope you'll watch this video, take it to heart, and tell me what you think.

To all us dads who are still working on our own boxes, you can't take anything out of or put anything into your father's Dad Box, but you still have the chance to change what you put in your own box.  My message will encourage you as you fill up The Dad Box you're about to give to your children.

Whatever you situation, I wish for you the courage to persevere in doing what is best for the generations that come and carry your Dad Box.

Clark H Smith

Father's Day... Only Half The Story

There's a lot on my mind and a lot on my plate as I approach Father's Day.  I've been invited to preach at my home church this Sunday. Topic: What Children Need From Their Father.

I think... I hope... I have enough material.  I'll post my message next week and you can judge for yourself.  But the bottom line is I'll only get to half the message.

There's a paradox in Father's Day - all us fathers were all once sons. We still are.  Although we added a new job to our resume, we are all still what we were first - kids.

I call this a paradox because those little angels who look up at us with their innocent eyes assume that, as tall people, we must have all the answers, we must be professionals at this career of parenting.

In reality, I still desperately want to go to a lake and chunk rocks and watch the ripples.  I still want to stay up late and sleep in. I want to plop fizzies and count fireflies.  I still want to be the way I discovered the world - innocent, inquisitive, and happily restless.

When I was a lad I liked apple juice.  I drank it frequently into early adulthood.  Then something odd happened.  I became a father.  And the pitcher of amber ambrosia in the fridge was now for the young'uns.  I put away children's things.  Sure, I could enjoy a pitcher all to myself now.  But it wasn't the juice.  It was being a kid and drinking the juice.  That's the part that's not in the fridge.

I love my four boys.  More than they'll know... until they have kids, and find an indescribable love, and forsake apple juice and become the Knower-of-Everything and Giver-of-Allowance.  For the time being, I know something they don't.  It's good to be the dad.

Between now and Father's Day, PLEASE read this excellent short essay by an acquaintance of mine.  It moved me.

Clark H Smith