I was raised by a Dad who worked 70 hours a week.  I never saw him nor heard him except when he would yell at us to do our chores, turn down the radio, stop fighting or complaining.  He had his fill of life’s problems and was never taught by his Dad how to be a father.  Consequently, by the grace of God when I became a Christian at the young age of 19, I did not want that pattern to continue.  Now that I have raised kids and become a grandpa I look back over the years in astonishment.  I’m a bit embarrassed.  Don’t get me wrong; I love my kids and what they have become.  I’m talking about the fathering they have received.  It’s much like watching a video of one trying to run the Boston Marathon WITHOUT any preparation.  He would get an A for effort, but apart from that oh-boy.

Being my own grandpa

So, having a 3 year old run around in my house keeps me wondering how I can be a good grandfather to him.  I think back to the only grandpa I knew (who died when I was only 11) and can’t remember anything but how he would greet me.  After 45 years I can still hear the sound of his voice say “Hi Robbie!”  But apart from that, nothing; I don’t remember him doing anything with us.  I think back to what my Dad taught me about being a father and grandfather since he was both and again I come up with nothing, zilch, natta.  So, I decided to hit the books and learn what I can from those that are trying.  I have to be my own grandpa!

Why I write

So this is why I am sending out these emails all of a sudden to all of you.  It is my way to learn and my way of passing on to you principles and skills about how to be a father, a mothers, an aunt, or an uncle.  I will keep them short and I won’t be offended if you file them away to read later.  But I do ask you to read them.  I don’t want you to live with any regrets.  You are only given this time once and I want you to make the most of it.  I’ve prayed much about this and I still pray that the Coss family, the family God has given me, will break the dominance sin has had over us for generations and move on to what God desires to bless us with.  And most importantly, to be a blessing to world.  One of my favorite verses in the Bible that motivates me to this end is found in Genesis 18:19.

For I have chosen him, so that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring upon [him] what He has spoken about him.

Finally, by all means feel free to comment with your thoughts and opinions along the way.  I’m going to save these thoughts here in the event that someday someone finds something we have said useful.