The goal of every Christian father should be to reflect the nature and love of our heavenly Father to his children and train them up in righteousness, he should desire to “be the Father” to his children.
This Father’s Day the father in our home is grieving the departure of a precious child he spent much time “being the Father” to. He loved her with an unquenchable love, he sacrificed daily for her, he prayed over her for 17 years, he gently guided her day in and day out, and without hesitation would have gladly laid down his life in exchange for hers on June 8th.
A few days after the accident we were blessed to discover among some of Sarah’s treasures a sealed envelope with “To My Future Husband” scrolled on the front. We decided as a family we should open and read it. Inside were 3 pages neatly folded and labeled “Part 1”, “Part 2” and “Part 3”.
Part 1 reads as follows:
March 31, 2015
Dear Future Husband,
If you’re reading this, then that means I’m engaged, which is a really exciting thought. It’s also a scary thought that maybe no one will ever read this letter. (Which would mean I would be single forever!)
What I want in you
I want you to be a leader and a provider. I want you to be the head of the family. I want you to be the father to my children. I want you to be a loving husband and father who always wants to spend time with his family. I want you to be a strong caretaker and be gentle. I want you to be like my Daddy….. But when it all comes down to it, I want you to be a man after God’s own heart.
Love, Sarah
Sarah understood who Scott is, and what he is, and she would settle for nothing less. Beneath Scott’s quiet, gentle nature and unassuming presence lies a meek yet mighty man of God, a bit like his precious daughter who has been talked a lot about this week. He is all Sarah saw in him and more. Today I celebrate the blessing of being his partner in this life and the richness of having him consistently “be the Father” to our children.
As you celebrate this Father’s Day please say a prayer for this special brokenhearted daddy, loved so dearly by all of his girls.
Listening to Him 
Beautiful
Beautifully said, Karen. Peggie Flanagan and I recognized him as a very special young man when we had him in our classes. When we read A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and TAMING of the SHREW, I asked my students to write down a list of things they wanted in a husband or wife. Each of those plays had great material to learn about what we should look for in a mate. I am again, so thankful that you and Scott have each other. That is the second most important thing for us to find in this life. you know the first, a relationship with the Lord. I am sure your daughters will look for someone like their daddy. They have known a very special daddy. It is evident that Scott is proud of each of you he holds so dearly in this world.
My heart aches for you all. How precious she was, wish I had gotten to know her. But I know her sweet spirit now
Thank you for sharing…. Yes, we will be praying for Scott….
Thank you for sharing! We are broken for you, Scott and the girls and will continue to pray peace, comfort and rest. However, I am very thankful that you stumbled upon this letter. The letter shows Scott how much she loved him, he was her hero! What better example is this than to admire her father’s meek spirit, his Godly influence his loving heart while touching a special girl in such a personal way. These words demonstrate how she truly felt about her Daddy! Words to treasure for sure!
We love you all!
Scott, you have always been a Christian Boy, then a Christian Man!!!! You and Karen have three beautiful girls, and one that God called to heaven!!!!!!!! You have been a great Christian Father to these girls and you can rest in the peace that Sarah is with Jesus because you and Karen started her out in a Christian home, then she grew up and became the Christian you and Karen taught her to be!!!!!!! I love you and continue to pray for you and Karen, and the other three girls to have comfort in the Lord!!!!!
What a gift! God has been so gracious in these treasures from Sarah. I am so thankful for His steadfast love to you and all of us. Such a wonderful tribute to her earthly father on this Father’s Day when she is home with her Heavenly Father. Wow! is my big hefty theological word for all of it. 🙂