When I was growing up, because my own father was not in the picture, I had no reason or opportunity to celebrate Father’s Day. I don’t recall ever really thinking about it one way or the other.
My first Father’s Day was in 2004 when my wife was pregnant with our daughter Ella. As a gift, I got a very funny book called How Not to Completely Suck as a New Parent. While reading it out loud when we were on vacation that summer, sometimes we laughed so hard we cried.
God has blessed me with 16 years of celebrating Father’s Day. Since for a long time I never thought I’d get married, much less have kids, I am very grateful indeed.
Reflecting on Father’s Day is to reflect on our life as a family: the many ups and downs, the laughter and tears, late nights, hours spent helping with homework, reading bedtime stories, arguing siblings, occasional trips to the ER, overwrought drama, holidays and vacations more tiring than everyday routine, many meals, endless laundry, and prayers.
Not everyone out there who is a Dad had a Dad. Not everyone has had a positive experience with their father. Some have been profoundly hurt by their fathers.
Yet even the best fathers are flawed and make plenty of mistakes. I’m definitely imperfect as a father. Fathers need to learn to say sorry—even to their kids. I’ve certainly had occasion to do so. Hopefully, my kids even learn from me at these times.
Above all else, I am grateful for Father’s Day because of all the joy and meaning my kids bring into my life. Whatever my experience was in growing up without a father, I am glad that my kids’ experience is not the same.
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Published by Derek Melanson
Greetings!
The most important thing about me is not first and foremost about me. It’s about the person of Jesus. I receive my identity, my purpose, and my very breath and life from Jesus. Colossians 1:16 says it well. Speaking of Jesus, there the apostle Paul writes, “All things have been made through him and for him.” Who I am, I am because of who he is. And because through him I have been reconciled to God, I now live to orient my life around him. I don’t always do this very well. So I’m grateful for the good news of God’s forgiveness.
Since August 2002 I have been married to a beautiful, wonderful Christian woman. Because of her, my life has been much more of an adventure than it would otherwise have been. She’s loving, smart, funny, determined, and real. Being her husband is a privilege and a joy.
And our joy has multiplied. We have three children. One girl and twin boys. They’re fun, silly, energetic, smart, and exhausting. All unique individuals, they keep us on our toes. Thanks to them, our home is filled with a lot of laughter.
We also have two dogs: a 10-year old mixed poodle-terrier named Sneaker and a 1-year old yorkie named Izzy.
On top of all this, God has also called me to be a pastor. Our church is a small, rural church filled with loving, faithful people. Working with them to live out the good news of God is a great gift.
What else? Well, I happen to like the following things (in no particular order of favourites): playing guitar, writing (obviously!), reading (theology, classic fiction), a variety of movies and TV shows but especially those in the sci-fi/adventure/fantasy/super-hero genres, Dairy Queen Chocolate Extreme Blizzards, buffalo wings, salsa, Doc Martens, Grip6 belts, and Birkenstock sandals. I love my children’s laughter and my wife’s smile. And I love that God — in his abundant grace — allows me to enjoy any of these things.
There. Now you really know me.
I hope you enjoy and get something out of reading my blog. I’d love it if you made some comments on a post or two. Normally, I usually post several times a week. Though occasionally I can go as long as a week or more without doing so. Fear not! I will post again!
Peace,
Pastor Derek
View all posts by Derek Melanson
grace notes 
Amen