Last week two friends tapped on my front door just before leaving town. They wanted to deliver a few things, among them an old copy of a newsletter I’d edited back in the eighties.
Nate and I were members of Moody Church in Chicago then and were raising our children with help from Sunday school teachers, pastors and other families there. I was on the nursery committee, a fun group that birthed lifelong friendships.
One of my duties was to put together a newsletter, the Crib Sheet, 20-plus pages printed quarterly. It was reader-written, and several columns were included in every issue: mothering tips, an interview with a grandma, menu suggestions, quotes from young children, medical commentary, several articles written by young moms, and a word from the nursery chairman.
Believing that fathers played a critical role with their young families, we asked one of them to contribute a short piece for each newsletter. Most were reluctant to write, and occasionally when print time came, I’d still be empty-handed.
This was the case in April of 1984, so I asked Nate, late one night, if he’d write our “Father’s Forum” feature. Last week when my friends came by, the Crib Sheet they put into my hands included Nate’s article. At the time he was 39 and had five children ages 12, 10, 8, 4 & 3.
Nate’s piece (below) made good use of 200 words with five summary statements followed by five examples:
Fatherhood
Fatherhood makes you aware of your own mortality. You appraise the birth of your child from your age: how old will I be when my child is 7, 14, 21?
Fatherhood gives you empathy for your own father. You remember your father’s words from an episode of many years ago which seemed incomprehensible or petulant. Now you appreciate what he wanted to tell you – the significance of his syntax.
Fatherhood affords understanding of the Lord. The metaphor used in Scripture frequently for the relationship between Divinity and man is Fatherhood – the Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Ghost. This use of Fatherhood shows us God’s power over us and concern for us.
Fatherhood gives fun and joy. You enjoy teaching your child to swim or ride a bike. You treasure his or her efforts to learn to speak, read, write and spell. You share the mirth of a two year old’s birthday party and a six year old’s affection for a kitten. You smile at the spelling of a boy of nine, grin at an eleven year old’s rendition of the Civil War and share time at the beach with all the kids.
Fatherhood is profound and yet routine; it is intimidating at times and yet fun. It is hectic.
I love my children. Nate Nyman
What a delight to hear from Nate. When I got to the last line, I started to cry. Even with the mild conflicts detailed in his final point, his firm conclusion was, “I love my children.” And he made sure Crib Sheet readers knew it.
Our friend Dr. John Elsen (with 11 children) says, “Most men are unprepared for fatherhood.” Nate was no exception, but God cares deeply for young fathers and willingly co-parents when asked. He was helping Nate, and he knew it.
Nate’s bottom line, though, is the reason Nate’s children rushed to be with him when the chips were down, because even though young daddies make mistakes, love covers a multitude of sins.
“Love makes up for practically anything.” (1 Peter 4:8b, The Message)