At the end of each day, when my husband walks through the door, the chorus begins. The toddler squeals with delight and yells “Dada! Dada! Dada!” The four-year-old runs to meet Dad at the car, then hides behind a front-porch pillar to yell “boo” and scare him. His mock terror gets the happy giggles flowing.

Our kindergartener usually has a new trick to show dad, the most recent being popping wheelies on his bike. The big girls usually have hugs and kisses, then start into either a story about their day, or an investigation of whatever grocery bags, packages or mail Dad has brought home. I just feel like the universe is balanced when my sweetheart is home.

Once we get to the dinner table we have a nightly jockeying for positions: the prime ones are on Dad’s side of the table. At bedtime, Dad is the preferred storyteller. When bad dreams interrupt sleep, the kids come looking for Dad. (He’s a gourmet chef, too!)

How grateful I am to have such a great man for my children to look up to. As he goes about each day, his examples of kindness, good humor and consideration are woven into the fabric of what our children believe fathers should do.

Despite the fact that most dads spend fewer hours with their children, they hold a huge sway on the affections of their families. Ultimately, fathers form the ideas about what our Heavenly Father is like. Good fathers foster a belief in a loving God, who hears and answers prayers, and deals mercifully with His children.

Enjoy this great Issue of Desert Saints Magazine, filled with tributes to fathers and fatherhood, plus plenty of extra great reading. Happy Fathers Day!

All the best,

Editor@DesertSaintsMagazine.com

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