Great article in the National Review today on husbands and fathers…if you’re either one of these, or married to one, read it.
I’d like to make the case that the most important thing fathers can do
for their children is to love their mother. And likewise, among the
many things mothers do for their children, one of the most important is
that mothers love their children’s father.
I grew up in a home where my father showed my mother the UTMOST respect. To this day he calls her his ‘beautiful bride.’ In return, my mother lifted him up, never passing on an opportunity to praise him. In this I felt a wonderful sense of order, and an unmistakable sense of safety. There is nothing I cherish more in my role as father than climbing into bed with my kids in the pitch of night, and making them feel safe. My heart aches, particualrly on father’s day, for the millions of kids who ride out the night without the hero to make them feel ok.
Most men, with an insignificant number of exceptions, are capable of
this heroic loyalty. We women can call this out of our men. We don’t
achieve this by nagging. We certainly don’t achieve it by competing
with them over who makes the most money, or by keeping score with them
on who does the most household chores. We need to build them up, as St.
Paul says. Watch them sit up straighter and taller when we appreciate
and admire them.
My success as a father begins where Jamie’s love ends, and this is the case for all fathers. We’re husbands first, and cherished husbands make for great fathers.
watersix 
Well said! Happy Father’s Day..I enjoy this blog very much..the whole Waters family is truly a treat to read about!
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great article. so true…
glad to see e-male is back. happy father’s/husband’s day chris. 🙂
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OMGoodness, that sort of thing is NOT said enough. Boy, that truth brings tears to me eyes. perfect for father’s day…and everyday :0)
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I really love this!!! Thanks for sharing. I’m praying along with you. The single mothers of our world are the widows of the first century christians world. I just love your perspective on this!!! I’m going to read the article and send it to my husband!
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Loved it! Needed it! Gonna share it with others!
Cheers to you for the father you are!
I can’t wait to see how my husband will be when we have children.
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Things like this need to be posted and written about every day. About mother and fathers. This is the point that needs to be made front and center.
I spend most of my day listening to women complain about the things that their husbands do not do, complain about the things that they do manage to complete, and gripe about how they do it.
I think that when women realize that men are smarter, greater, and deserve our adoration, they will get such in return.
I can see how it would be hard for a man to respect, love, and adore a woman who can’t seem to find good in anything that he does.
Thanks for putting this out there. It needs to be heard!!!
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So true and so sweet Chris. Thanks for your wise words.
Love you guys and we are so looking forward to seeing you next week.
Hugs!
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If I ever get to meet you and Jamie, I hope she will let me give you a big huge hug.
I love this post, it makes me want to smoosh all over my hubby and makes me a little sad to think what I didn’t have in a father.
you rock…and I know, because I am pebbles;)
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hey jamie
just a fan stopping by to day hi
i was totally inspired by your 12-layouts in a night article in CK. i have been working on random pages and i have been following your format for them – it’s amazing how much i’ve accomplished … for me this is a big deal because i usually take 4evah to get things done.
i love your style!
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I have been a lurker on this blog for awhile and never commented, but I must respond to this post! Thank ou so much for sharing this. My hubby and I were just talking the other evening about how we want our son (only 10 weeks old!) to always know how much his mommy and daddy love, respect and choose each other. There are so many couples out there that are not doing this, to the detriment of their children’s security and future relationships. Your heart for your wife and your kids is so evident and beautiful here. May God richly bless your family as you continue to seek His ways and truth in all of your interactions. God bless.
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Yep… couldn’t agree more. Before Matt and I got married we had to take these classes at my church. In one of the classes I remember the priest saying something like “Your relationship with each other is going to be more important than your relationship with your children. It has to be. Everything else will fall into place if you two are right and happy and in synch. If you nurture and care for your relationship and each other, the kids will fall in line. Take care of each other first and your children will reap the rewards.”
I remember at the time being pretty shocked by what he was saying. I gave Matt a wide eyed stare as I listened and chalked up what I thought was wrong information to the priest not knowing what he was talking about. I mean, he didn’t have a spouse or kids, right? How could he know. But we did some exercises and explored the idea more that weekend and when I left I believed he was right. It makes a lot sense.
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