As Father鈥檚 Day approaches, some of 海角在线鈥檚 (海角在线) faculty and staff reflect on how fatherhood has shaped them and their lives. Read on to hear their favorite thing about being a father.
Curt Brown | Association Vice President of Construction and Facilities
It鈥檚 been a joy seeing my sons mature into adults. Now my oldest is raising his own. Hard to beat that.
Dr. Fred Browning | Engineering Department Chair
I love sharing discovering the world with my kids. Watching them learn new things and find the things they are passionate about is so rewarding. Every age, from baby to young adult, has been my new favorite age. Children are one of God’s greatest blessings.
Nathan Chau | Director of Workship
Being a dad comes with great responsibility, but I love that my son already looks up to me, even at three months old. I love making him smile, holding him when he cries, and praying over him every day. Fatherhood is one of the greatest honors God has entrusted to me, and I鈥檓 grateful for every moment.
Connor Dennis | Donor Relations Coordinator
My favorite thing about being a father is getting to rediscover the world from the perspective of my children [and] getting to see them do things they didn鈥檛 think they could at first (like beating the boss of the fire temple in The Legend of Zelda all on their own or riding a skateboard down a hill without falling for the first time). The opportunity to celebrate with them and the pride on their faces for accomplishing something I may take for granted is a reminder of how powerful the simple joys in life really are.
Dr. Jonathan Grenz | School of Ministry Dean
Over the years, my favorite thing about being a father has changed as my children鈥檚 ages have changed. Today, one of my favorite things is to see and walk with my children as they explore, discover, and grow in their vocation. This includes both the ups and downs of this journey.
Dr. Jay Jackson | Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Associate Professor of Pharmacy Practice
Being a dad is one of the greatest joys of my life! The Lord has blessed my wife and I with six beautiful children: five biological kids and one foster child. Along with some premature hair loss and bags under the eyes, these kiddos have brought a never-ending amount of joy, laughter, and perspective to my life.
It is a blessing not only to watch them grow into who God created them to be, but also to play an active role in discipling them in the Lord鈥檚 ways. One unique blessing of having a big family is getting to watch our children love, encourage, and serve one another. Whenever I see our 14-year-old holding and singing to one of her little siblings, I gain a deeper appreciation for Christ鈥檚 command to 鈥渓ove one another as I have loved you.鈥�
Fatherhood has deepened my understanding of our Heavenly Father鈥檚 grace, patience, sacrifice, and delight in ways I never could have fully understood otherwise. Happy Father鈥檚 Day!
Dr. John Simons | Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Watching your children grow from the time they fit in the crook of your arm to the time they have children of their own is an extraordinary part of being a dad. I assumed the most fulfilling years of being a dad would be when they were little鈥攁nd those years were meaningful, unpredictable, and full of laughter. But I was wrong, in the best way. My favorite time came later, as each of them became who God designed them to be. The great joy of being a dad is that all four of my children love each other, love the Lord, and still share their lives with me and my wife Ellen, after more than 40 years of marriage. I am humbled and honored to be their dad鈥攁nd I love being a grandpa, too.
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