Friends often tease me about it. “Rainer can’t speak for five minutes before he starts talking about his sons,” they say. Others know that all of my writings are infused with stories about my family, particularly my sons.
Indeed, in a recent book, I wrote these words: “Anyone who has heard me speak or read anything I wrote knows how much I adore my three sons, Sam, Art and Jess. And it just occurred to me recently: Even though they are still young men in their twenties, they have surpassed their father in character, intellect and godliness. Such is a statement of reality and not false humility. The sons have surpassed the father.”
Anticipating Children
It may be strange, but I can remember looking forward to having children when I was a child. I thought it would be so great to be able to raise a child and influence his or her life. And when my three sons each came into this world, I remember the unspeakable joy of becoming a father.
What a gift. What an incredible gift.
Every expectation I had about fatherhood has been exceeded. Every anticipated joy surpassed. Of course, I have been incredibly blessed because Sam, Art, and Jess are such great sons. I could not imagine fatherhood being any better than I have experienced.
The Reason
The Rainer family does not deserve the blessings we have received. And I certainly am the least of those who should receive such blessings. So the first reason we have been so blessed with godly children is grace. Undeserved. Unmerited. Just grace. God’s grace.
Yet an additional reason can be best explained in a recent conversation between Sam, Ed Stetzer, and me. Dr. Stetzer asked how the three Rainer boys turned out so well with a father like me. I think he was trying to be funny. I hope he was trying to be funny.
But, as soon as he asked the question, Sam responded with certainty: “Mom.” We laughed for a moment, and then all of us realized the truth behind the punch line. These Rainer boys, in large part, turned out so well because Nellie Jo is one of the godliest and greatest mothers we have ever known.
The Joy of Grown Children
I have loved every phase of my children’s lives. I have often been lacking in patience and right priorities, but I still have loved each phase: infants, toddlers, young children, older children and even teenagers.
But I must admit that this time of enjoying grown children has been the best. Hardly a day goes by that I don’t talk to one of the boys. They will now call me for advice and counsel, but I find that their wisdom and insights well exceed mine. These are the “good old days,” and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
I know. This blog has been a bit of a ramble. I wanted to write something about Father’s Day. But we who are fathers have that title because we have children. And they are the blessing. They are our joy.
So, Sam, Art and Jess: There is no need to buy me a gift or send me a card. Having you as my sons is the greatest gift I could ever have. You are my best friends. You give me laughter. You give me hope. You give me encouragement. You give me love.
There is nothing more to give.
Happy Father’s Day to you dads.
And Happy Children’s Day as well.
For you are the reason we are so blessed.
