Being a Dad: The Cup Run's Dry!

 Hello and Welcome Home!

Being a dad comes even in moments of struggle. To be honest, the last few months have been a struggle for me.  The world is changing more every day. The fear of sickness and political battles are more prevalent in today's world than I ever really thought they would. There is always a silver lining though. 

While the struggle has been real, I've been learning so many things about myself and how I treat my children. I just haven't written about them. It's not that I don't want to, I really just haven't had the motivation. I won't put too much into that in this post though.

Being a Dad who embraces the moment, I'm sure, has been a struggle for most of the dads out there right now. As someone who manages a team for my day job while solving tons of problems, and filtering conversations with multiple parties working from home right now, I can understand getting off work and just wanting to get-away.  It's not easy to shift gears and do the same thing again but with my three children.

Sometimes embracing the moment I get right before the questions and tackles start is the only quiet time I get in a day. We live a low key life and really try to slow things down once I clock out each day, but there are many days my mind is running 60 miles an hour from 6am to 8pm when the kids finally settle down. 

Once they are down my attention is 100% on my wife and whatever she needs to talk through. I know it doesn't seem like much time but She does get more at other times. Finally, once she hit the bed for the night, I get my moment, if I'm still mentally able to take it.  So yeah, I'm sure there are other Dads out there in the same boat, Its not easy getting that moment, is it?

Recently, I was told by a co-worker that I had changed, and not for the better. I came to realize through my conversations with them, that I had focused so much time and energy on my Wife and her struggles, or my Kids and their struggles and even the struggles at work. In doing so, I forgot about me. I could go into the details, but that's its own post. I care deeply for others, its a gift and a curse.

Anyway, what I began to realize is that it is important to fill the cup I empty each day by helping others at work as well as my wife and kids, and anyone else in need really. It is also important to rest my cup as well. I can empty and fill it all I want, but eventually, it will give out, break, or rust; just like any other cup. 

I know it's not always going to go down like that, but being a dad is only one part of who I am. I am also a friend, a brother, a husband, a boss, a counselor, a son, and so many other things. If I'm not taking care of myself, I can't be any of the things I just mentioned. Neither can you!

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28 ESV

Living by Faith, With my Family, 

M.E.