The whole world in his arms

The other night as we were settling down from a chaotic day, my husband held the boys and I in his arms, kissed my forehead and said, “I’m the luckiest guy in the world.” In that moment, I could feel the air leaving me. Physically, I could feel my body relax, even if only momentarily.

That relief was the result of reassurance.

Reassurance that he’s happy.

Reassurance that I am enough.

Reassurance that the family we have created brings him joy.

His words rang simply, but they had lasting impact.

His truth probably resonates with many of the guys we are blessed to know and be surrounded by.

The men that lead by example.

Men that show up.

Men that sacrifice.

He didn’t have to tell me that he feels like the luckiest guy around for me to genuinely know that he feels this way. I do not have to look hard to see how he shows up, leads, or sacrifices, but it’s always helpful to hear it out loud.

Everyone is not called to be a father. Vocations vary and generally, life doesn’t make being a father easy.

Fathers can carry immense pressure. The pressure to provide stability—financial and emotionally. Feeling responsible for the entire families future. Pressure to hold it together. Fear of failing their children and not giving them a better life.

The day to day life of being a father is not for the faint of heart. Despite all of the overarching pressure, the day to day routine still has to be lived.

In our family, his feet hit the floor first. He’s up packing Aussie’s lunch, brewing coffee that he doesn’t drink, and dropping the big girl to school. He turns right around to get Aussie to school a tad bit later before heading off to work himself. He checks in during the day. Helps when and where he can. At the end of the day, he’s playing, bathing, and rocking the boys.

It’s chaotic. It’s stressful.

And after all of that, he still thinks he’s the luckiest guy in the world.

Little does he know we are the lucky ones. The lucky ones because he intentionally chooses God and lives out his vocation with a quiet heart, integrity, and a deep love for us.

How lucky are we that he doesn’t need a yacht or fancy car to think he’s the luckiest guy in the world because he already has his whole world in his arms.