FATHER'S DAY
Artists Answer: 'What Does Father's Day Mean to You?'
Compiled by Jennifer E. Jones
CBNmusic Producer
CBN.com
– “What’s special about this Father’s Day is that I know every one of my kids loves me. I’ve had a really blessed relationship with all of them. That’s a great feeling. Even though I worked a lot on the road over the years, I’d drop anything I was doing for them at any time. They were my priority. I think they grew up knowing that and believing that… I’ve got one thing that my daughter Olivia wrote for school in 2002. It’s called, ‘My Poppy.” It’s what she wanted to tell the world about me. It’s something I’ll always cherish. That’s a Father’s Day present year after year.” ~ Phil Keaggy
“I never used to understand what my gift to my parents meant. Even growing up, I was the oldest child. I would see my younger brothers and sisters give little things that they made to our parents. I didn’t see the value in that. ‘Come on. Why don’t you go buy them something?’ Being a father [I] see what we get from our kids. When I come home and she gives me a hug, that is… what is there to give? I love it when she draws me something. I have found the meaning and value in the things they do.” ~ Marc Dodd of The Afters
 “I have two [young] daughters. To me more than anything, it’s realizing that I’m a father. I’m really starting to examine and understand how important being a father is. They don’t know Father’s Day from their birthday… Well, they know their birthday [laughs]. But for me it’s just personally realizing the responsibility.” ~ Dust of Mars Ill
“We all have good fathers. We all have a father figure in our lives that has helped make us who we are today. I know for some people Father’s Day is uncomfortable because maybe they didn’t know their father or they hate their father. But for me, it’s a celebration when you say, ‘Hey, thanks for sticking up for me.’ It’s funny someone just asked us, ‘If you could accomplish or do anything, what would it be?’ I said I want to be the best father in the world. I’d rather be a good father to my kid than sell a million records.” ~ Matt Dally of Superchick
“I really don’t think about it that much. I’m always aware of what flowers to get my wife for Mother’s Day. That’s more of a day in my mind that I have memories of. My kids are conscious about giving me little notes but it’s never been a big deal. Now Grandpa’s Day…” ~ Matthew Ward
“Every Father’s Day and all year ‘round at different points, I think about my grandfathers. My dad’s dad made a conscious decision to serve the Lord, and because of that, my Dad’s doing what he does. One of those decisions could have changed the course of my family. Every Father’s Day, I think about the fact that my dad’s made so many good decisions. I also challenge myself to really understand that the decisions that I make will affect generations.” ~ Anthony Evans
“This will be my first Father’s Day so I’m not sure what to expect. I just know this sense of responsibility and having to grow up. When it’s just me and my wife, I miss her and I’m the spiritual leader of the home but I also know she’s very independent. But when there’s a baby involved, there’s a little bit more responsibility. I’m hoping it will hit me that way.” ~ Nathan Cochran of MercyMe
 “When you first become a father, you’re thrilled with the newness of life. You don’t really realize in the beginning – other than the thrill factor – the gravity of the position. Then as your son or daughter grows and you vicariously live your life through them because you’ve been there, you begin to enter a new arena that is only to be described as overseer. You become responsible. You become a benefactor, supplier, gladiator. You guard them. When you’re in that mode, you’re concerned about their welfare, what they’re doing. Then they grow up, and you watch them, in a son’s case, become a man -- in a daughter’s case, become a woman. You never quit being a father. ~ Phil Driscoll
“I had a great father figure. I look at my dad and what he means to me. [Father's Day] is about celebrating that at the same time renewing that towards my children. [There’s a] clarity on what a big responsibility you have. I’ve felt a renewal of: ‘These people depend on me.’” ~ ManCHILD of Mars Ill
“We had a great dad. He was pretty much our hero. We don’t always get to see him on Father’s Day but he’s always a big part of our lives. [My sister] Melissa doesn’t let people know when things are hard for her sometimes. One time she fell after a concert and really bothered her ankle. It was really bad. I’d never seen her like that. We go to the hospital. I get on the phone with Mom and say, ‘I think Melissa needs to talk to Dad.’ As soon as she gets on the phone with him, she starts crying. Our dad is a comforter. He’s so good about, ‘I got you a little present.’ He’s still the dad who warms our cars in the winter. Dad’s awesome.” ~ Tricia Brock of Superchick
“Marc [Martel] and I did a co-write on Wide-Eyed and Mystified called ‘Little is Much.’ Marc’s and my fathers are both pastors in small rural churches in Canada. My dad went to a tiny college. He’s not a brilliant theologian nor a singer. In the history books he won’t be remembered, but he’s faithful and he has a shepherd’s heart. He’s a wise man. We took the idea of that song. It’s an homage to our fathers who spent their lives, by the world’s standards, in an insignificant place. But by God’s, there is valor and dignity.” ~ Jason Germain of Downhere
“My Dad passed away a few years ago. I was very close to him. We had a great relationship. He was everything I needed in a dad. I couldn’t have asked for anything more. I could talk to him about anything. He’s the kinda guy I could call if I had a flat three hours away at 3 o’clock in the morning. He would not even hesitate to get out of bed and come fix my flat. He was also the one who really raised me up with a passion for the gospel, a passion for Christ, and also a passion for music. He was a phenomenal musician. Now, traveling all over the country and hearing stories from the lives of people who don’t have that relationship they crave makes me really determined to be the father that my dad was to me. He replaced himself because, when he passed away, I knew I had a Father in Heaven who would never leave. ” ~ Josh Havens of The Afters
 “My Dad, I think about him a lot. He’s been gone since ’81 and yet when someone departs they’re not really gone. They live just like when God says, 'Before you were formed I knew you.' It’s almost like we’ve always been in the heart of God. We’re spirits given a human experience. You know there is an existence after this fleshly, worldly life. Like C.S. Lewis says, we’re created for another world anyway. So my dad lives not just in my memory but I believe he lives. So Father’s Day is about my father who passed on but didn’t completely die. He’s very alive in God.” ~ Phil Keaggy
CBN IS HERE FOR YOU!
Are you seeking answers in life? Are you hurting?
Are you facing a difficult situation?
A caring friend will be there to pray with you in your time of need.
|
