This post was originally on my “What Is a Dad” blog.

I’m beginning to realize that I’m not really as good with words as I thought I was. I guess that’s one of the reasons why I’ve backed off for awhile on here. I can’t put into words what I’m thinking about being a dad or having a dad. When I got back from Oregon, I had a lot to think about; so, I’m kind of embarrassed to say, I haven’t really called my dad (or sister or brother) since being back. Yeah, that’s a long time.

I felt in a funk this morning. There’s a lot going on in my life (so much good, some challenging), and I am feeling really sore because I (stupidly) helped my neighbors move a huge piece of furniture (no-no for a guy recovering from throwing out his back in February). I was reading my Bible, but it almost felt like the words weren’t sinking in. I listened to a worship cd while I was getting ready, but I couldn’t engage. I was in a funk.

I don’t know what inspired me (in the midst of a funk) to call my dad, but that’s what I did.

It’s good that we have what we have right now. I’m glad that I get to share some of what’s going on in my life and my prayer requests with him. I asked him to write a letter for Evie. I think that would mean a lot to me (and a lot to her) one of these days.

But the thing that got me at the end, after talking about maybe getting a train ticket sometime this year to see his granddaughter, was that he wanted to pray for me right then and there. And he did.

Something shifted in my soul when my dad prayed for me, for MK, and for Evie. I realized that I still don’t let people pray for me that much, and somehow he knew that that was exactly what I needed at that moment.

I want to be able to do that for Evie one of these days. In this, I want to be just like my dad.

Posted by Paul Mannino in paul Tags: calling my dad, expecting father, in a funk, letting people pray for me, meeting my brother, meeting my father, meeting my sister, praying for evie, sharing my life, sharing struggles, stopping to pray, what is a dad