I think my husband is pretty amazing! I love him. He is not only a great husband but is a wonderful father. No, he is not perfect. Is anyone?! (I'll be the one who does not raise my hand to that question...how will you honestly answer it?) But, one thing he does do is take seriously the role of human dad on earth. He models to his family behavior that is loving, humble, selfless, and in hot pursuit of Almighty God. He knows God is someone to love but also to fear with a holy reverence. Emily does not have to wonder if her daddy loves her as big as the universe. I don't have to question whether Jason thinks I'm the most wonderful wife on earth (for him, obviously, hopefully your husband thinks that of you...) He not only tells us he loves us but he shows it through his actions and words.

One thing that stands out in Jason's character is humility. When he has made a mistake or hurt us in any way, he is quick and willing to apologize. He is not afraid to say he is sorry, to me or Emily or any one else he wrongs. This is so powerful because it shows that he is not too proud, but a true man who, though it is painful, is open to God's refinement. Many parents have it in their heads that to apologize to their child shows weakness. Where the honk did they come up with that?! It is SO contrary to what Christ teaches...They think that to admit being wrong is a poor example since they are the "grown up". On the contrary, it shows a child two things. First, that their parent isn't perfect, which is good because when a parent lies and thinks they are "modeling" perfection, it sets a kid up for insecurity and people pleasing. Secondly, saying you are sorry for something and admitting that you are wrong as a person and parent shows that you have integrity and are willing to take responsibility for your own actions. Otherwise you end up being the parent who is "defending" your kid on the playground or at school from all the "bullies" when, perhaps in reality, your kid was the culprit? They never learned how to say they were sorry because it wasn't shown to them. They were told, "Say you are sorry", but they never witnessed it...Seriously, it really should be no wonder why there is war and hatred on earth...some parents have not modeled to their children how to say, "I am sorry", so, on and on and on, throughout the generations, no one takes responsibility for their own actions.

The picture that keeps coming into my mind is of "The Fonz", that is Arthur Fonzerelli from "Happy Days", who, whenever he would wrong someone, could never say he was sorry. He'd say, "I'm sorrrrrrrrrrrr. I'm sorrrrrrrrr. I'm...." Then, the person he hurt would dismiss his need for an apology because they knew what he was trying to say. Oh, how very macho. Let's all be quick to say we are sorry and model this to our children and to their children...

Sweetheart, I love you. Thank you that humility is a trait of God that you model in our home, to me and to Emily. You also modeled it to Noah and to everyone else who walked through the doors of his many hospital rooms. I respect you and am grateful that you are not a proud man in the false sense of the word. Thank you for modeling integrity. I don't have to lose sleep at night wondering if our kids will grow up to be tyrants. You are the kind of dad, beautifully imperfect, that models love unconditionally. It is no wonder Emily wants to marry a man just like you! (Hopefully Christ will come back before that (smiley face), but if He tarries, then I know God will honor that for her.) I love you as big as the universe. Me xoxox