The Tough and Rewarding Journey of Being a Dad

 Being a dad is one of the greatest blessings God has ever entrusted to me, but it is also one of the toughest callings I’ve ever known. Raising my four children—Marcus, Michael, Isabell, and Gabriella—has been a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless lessons. Along the way, I was also given the privilege of having a small hand in raising four others—Alicia, Angela, Jeremy, and Albert Jr. Each child brought their own personality, their own struggles, and their own gifts into my life, and through them God has continually reminded me that fatherhood is less about perfection and more about faithfulness.

The hard part of being a dad is the weight of responsibility that never really leaves. It’s not just about working hard to provide or making sure the bills are paid. It’s about leading by example, protecting hearts, and guiding souls. I’ve asked myself many times: Am I teaching them enough? Am I showing them love in the same way my Heavenly Father shows me? Am I preparing them for the world they’ll step into? Those questions are heavy, and they don’t come with simple answers. They keep me humble, they keep me praying, and they keep me leaning on God’s wisdom instead of my own.

Another challenge has been learning patience and humility. Children don’t always listen the way we hope, and they don’t always walk the exact path we would choose for them. Raising boys into men, like I’ve had to do with Marcus and Michael, requires strength, consistency, and a steady hand. Raising daughters, like Isabell and Gabriella, has meant learning how to nurture, encourage, and challenge them in ways that honor who God made them to be. And then with Alicia, Angela, Jeremy, and Albert Jr., the challenge was different—it was about giving love, support, and guidance in a role where I wasn’t their dad, but I was still placed there to help. All of it has shown me that fatherhood isn’t just about shaping children—it’s about God shaping me.

There are moments when being a father feels thankless. The sacrifices, the long nights, the tough conversations, and the times of silent worry can leave you wondering if it even makes a difference. But the truth is, it is not thankless at all. Even when the world doesn’t notice, God sees every effort. He hears every prayer whispered over a child at night, He knows every tear shed in private moments of doubt, and He honors every act of love and faithfulness. What may go unrecognized on earth never goes unnoticed in heaven. That truth has carried me through the hardest seasons.

But for all the weight of responsibility, fatherhood brings rewards that words cannot fully capture. Hearing my children laugh, seeing their smiles, and watching them grow into the people God has called them to be brings a joy that outweighs every hardship. Even with the children I only had for a season, knowing that I could play a role in their story is something I count as a blessing. Every hug, every “I love you,” every milestone reached is a reminder that this calling, though hard, is worth every sacrifice.

The greatest reward, however, is seeing God’s fingerprints in their lives. When one of my children shows kindness, demonstrates resilience, or leans on their faith during a hard moment, I see the fruit of the seeds planted through the years. Fatherhood is not just about discipline and guidance—it’s about sowing values, love, and faith into their hearts and trusting God to bring the increase. Those glimpses of fruit remind me that the effort is never wasted.

Fatherhood has also deepened my understanding of God’s love for me. Just as I’ve stumbled and needed grace in raising my kids, God has been patient with me. Just as I want the very best for them, He desires the very best for me. Fatherhood has humbled me, stretched me, and driven me back to God over and over again. It has made me more dependent on Him, and more grateful for His perfect example of what it means to be a Father.

In the end, being a dad is tough, but it is also sacred. It is a role that comes with challenges, sacrifices, and questions that never really go away. But it is also filled with blessings, rewards, and eternal significance. It may not always come with applause or recognition, but it is never without purpose. Fatherhood matters because it is part of God’s plan, and it leaves a legacy of love, faith, and strength that reaches far beyond our own lifetime. And that truth makes every tough moment worth it.