“A nap,” I joked, repeating the stereotypical Dad joke.
I just feel awkward when I’m asked what I want for any holiday, and I guess Father’s Day is no different. Maybe it’s because telling people something that I want takes the surprise out of the gift. Maybe it’s because I feel selfish. It’s probably because I don’t feel like I deserve it, but that’s a conversation for a therapist.
My grandfather’s answer used to be “Just some kind words,” a line which I’ve stolen to the chagrin of my family.
Sarah flipped that on me a few years ago with one of the nicest gifts I’ve ever received— personal notes from many of the people I love most in the world about why they choose to love me. I still have those in my nightstand and read them on tough days.
My pushback is usually that I don’t need anything. I know that’s not the point of gifts, but it’s where my mind tends to go. The reality is that I know that I do need something this year for Father’s Day. We all do. It’s hard for us to admit when we need something. I grew up thinking that dads were supposed to have the answers- financially, spiritually, intellectually. Dads were supposed to know how to fix the car, make a great income, take the stellar vacation, teach the kid how to throw a curveball, lead the Bible study, and do it all while going to sleep last and waking up first. That’s not fair. It’s impossible. It’s also chauvinistic, arrogant, and greedy, and not having the answers left me feeling like everyone else had gotten a manual that I’d forgotten to pick up.
Then 2020 happened and so many of us struggled to find the answers to questions that no one had ever been asked.
How do I provide for my family when my store can’t open? How do I teach students when I can’t interact with them? How do I teach my kids while trying to work from home? How do I have critical conversations about race with my kids? How do I do it all without showing my stress?
So, what do dads need for Father’s Day in 2020?
My answer comes from a song that I heard for the first time at the beginning of Covid-19 when watching North Point Church’s Livestream. North Point Worship released the song featuring Seth Condrey and it’s called “Abundantly More.” It’s given me so much encouragement through the past few months, and I think it states the perfect wish list for Father’s Day 2020. I’ll share the lyrics below:
[Verse 1]
There is healing in the power of the Lord Most High
There is courage in the shadow of His wings
There is peace unending over all my life
There is freedom that washes over me
[Chorus]
I find all I need here in Your presence, Lord
I open up my soul and You fill me up with
All I need here in Your presence‚ Lord
Where blessings overflow
There’s always abundantly more
[Verse 2]
There is rest in the goodness of the Lord my God
There is treasure in the kindness of my King
There is comfort in knowing Your unfailing love
My Provider‚ You set my spirit free
[Bridge]
More than I could ask or seek, more than I could fathom
God, Your love for me is better than I imagined
More than I could ask or seek‚ more than I could fathom
God, Your love for me is better than I imagined
More than I could ask or seek, more than I could fathom
God, Your love for me is better than I imagined
Oh, so much more, so much more
