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Nothing Is Bigger Than Daddy
By Christina Quick | June 12, 2008
Nine years ago when our son was 2, we took him downtown to see the Christmas decorations in the small community where we lived. In the center of the square, there was a giant Santa that stood over 20 feet high.
As we pulled to the curb to look, our little boy’s eyes grew wide with excitement.
“Whoa, that’s big,” he said. “That Santa’s so big!”
Then there was a pause.
“But not as big as Daddy.”
We chuckled and assured him the Santa was much bigger than Daddy.
“No!” our little guy insisted, growing very serious. “Nothing is bigger than Daddy!”
That memory is precious. Over the years, it has reminded me how important a dad is in the life of his family. From a child’s vantage point, he’s larger than life.
Though the kids are older now, their dad’s status is still measured in epic proportions. Just yesterday, as they were arguing over some minor bit of trivia, I overheard my daughter say, “Let’s ask dad. Whatever he says is true.”
This is as it should be. A child who grows up with a positive view of his or her father is much more likely to be open to a relationship with the heavenly Father. Numerous studies have shown kids who are close to their fathers are also more apt to experience success in virtually every other area of life.
Earlier today I interviewed Dr. Meg Meeker, a pediatrician, family counselor, and author of Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters and Boys Should Be Boys: Seven Secrets to Raising Healthy Sons. She says the bond with a father is the most vital relationship in a child’s world after a relationship with God. In a culture that frequently runs down dads and diminishes the importance of fatherhood, it’s a daring statement. But I think it’s worth repeating.
So happy Father’s Day this weekend to my husband — and to all you great dads out there. You are bigger than you know.
Topics: Parenting |
June 17th, 2008 at 9:07 am
The importance of learning to trust, first with our earthly father and then with our heavenly Father cannot be over emphasized. We learn what love is, and how to give it to others from our parents, and likewise how to receive it!