DADDY'S HOME

Chanda, my first daughter wasn’t even a year old till my wife would meet me at the door when I came home from a hard day’s work with her loving mantra; “Daddy’s home.” Holding little baby Chanda, my wife would hold her up and say, “Daddy’s home” which put the biggest smile across my face as all the pain and sore muscles vanished.
A couple years later, Tim Jr. was born and then nine years after that, Aleena was born. It wasn’t long till I was met at the door every time I would come home from work with the “Daddy’s home” chant. What started off to be a cute saying, turned into a McClure ritual. No sooner than I would drive up in the drive way, or walk through the door, the pattering of feet would rise and the cry “Daddy’s home” would come.
Even though I would be dog tired and feeling bad at times, I was always healed by the cheerful mantra, “Daddy’s home.” It started in the house when I would came in. Then the children would meet me at the opened door. Later, I would be greeted at the truck or car with the jumping children, crying, “Daddy’s home.”
After the children grew up, then it became a competition. My wife would run to the door when she heard the truck pull into the driveway shouting “Me first.” Then the children would race attempting to beat her to the car or door to get the first hug and kiss. It’s been near 36 years now and still there are days when I step through the door, I hear the imaginary mantra, “Daddy’s home.”
There is no greater feeling in the world for a man than the feeling of knowing he’s loved. The greatest feeling is to know that there is someone at the door waiting for you. Even when all the children are in their own home, still if I walk through the door and pause for a second, I swear I can hear a faint cry, “Daddy’s home.”
For over 38 years, I have not left the house without first kissing my wife. Sometimes, there may be a slip up and one forgets to leave or arrive without such a welcome. However, someone quickly reminds each other of the ritual.
June 19, 2011 is Father’s Day. Though this may be the only day out of the year that we specifically honor every father, it is not the only time that we love and appreciate every father. Let me welcome each and every father to Promiseland Church with a celebrated mantra; “Daddy’s home.” Please, accept our love, embrace and honor this your day for all the Fathers. From all of us here at Promiseland, may you have a blessed, “Daddy’ home” day.

By Dr Tim McClure