He is clearly seen.

She grew up on the side of the road
Where the church bells ring
And strong love grows
She grew up good
She grew up slow
Like American honey

Steady as a preacher
Free as a weed
Couldn’t wait to get going
But wasn’t quite ready to leave
So innocent, pure and sweet
American honey

There’s a wild, wild whisper
Blowin’ in the wind
Callin’ out my name
Like a long lost friend
Oh, I miss those days
As the years go by
Oh, nothin’ sweeter than summertime
And American honey

Get caught in the race of this crazy life
Tryin’ to be everything
Can make you lose your mind
I just wanna go back in time
To American honey

There’s a wild, wild whisper
Blowin’ in the wind
Callin’ out my name
Like a long lost friend
Oh, I miss those days
As the years go by
Oh, nothin’ sweeter than summertime
And American honey

Gone for so long now
I gotta get back to her somehow
To American honey

There’s a wild wild whisper
Blowin’ in the wind
Callin’ out my name
Like a long lost friend
Oh, I miss those days
As the years go by
Nothin’ sweeter than summertime
And American honey
And American honey

Missed you terribly this week.

You know how you have those little dreams in your head and you wonder whether they will ever become reality?  Last night one of mine became reality.

When my girls began filling this house with their music, I thanked God.  Because I’ve always loved music down to my soul and to hear my children playing instruments and singing has been a great joy to me.  And to have them singing praises to the Lord, well, it will never get better than that for  me.  It just won’t.

Last night Mak and two of her friends treated us to a night of worship in our backyard.  They practiced and planned the most beautiful songs.  They spoke sweetly about the Lord and His Word.  They led us in prayer and worship.  Our friends came.  And brought desert!  Can you imagine how full to the brim my heart was?

Don’t miss the next one!  I just know we will do this again soon.

When I think about dads and fathers and father figures, bunches of images rush into my head.  However, surprisingly only one word stands among them.

Commitment.

While love and selflessness and many other things are part of being a man considered worthy of one of those titles, is there really a man who isn’t committed that has right to be called father?

Committed to being there.  Committed to providing.  Committed to protecting.   Committed to teaching.  Committed to loving.

It takes a man to be committed to guiding and loving and providing for a family over the long haul.  Because let’s face it – this world is glitzy and tempting.  The world says, come and travel here and explore this and yearn for a more exciting and fulfilling life.  And the committed father says back to the world: “I am committed to this family……..to this woman………..to these children.  I will stay here and I will work hard and I will pour out my life for these people here.”

Dad, I am blessed by your commitment.  I am blessed that you have literally poured your life out for mom and your children.  We are all blessed by that.  You stand among other men who have persevered.  Thank you for your commitment.  Without it we would all be lost and scarred.  Through your commitment, you have spared us what others have journeyed through – much pain.  It is a father like you, in an intact marriage, who is worthy to be called father.  You are worthy.  I love you.  Oh golly, I love you so much.

xoxox ~dawn