Father’s Day will be here on Sunday, so guest blogger Stephanie Ballard stopped by today to deliver a poem to honor dads of kids with special needs. Enjoy her words, and as is often the case with Steph’s writing, have a tissue handy.

A Father’s Heart on Father’s Day

A man walks through the double doors
His eyes tell quite a story
Although he has grown weary
He still gives God the glory.
His child lives within these walls
As many children do
Look high up on the sign, you’ll see
That it says…ICU.

The nurses nod as he walks in
And sets down all his things
Although he knows what to expect,
Somehow it always stings.
He bends to kiss his sleeping child
His hands stroking soft hair
And everyday the nurse can hear
This tired father’s prayer.

Lord, please watch my child today
And let him know you’re here
Give him strength so he can fight
And calm his every fear.
Wrap your arms around him
The way I wish I could.
Remind him just how much he’s loved
Remind him life is good.

I feel so very helpless
Not sure what I can do
I cannot even comprehend
The things that he’s been through.
Give me strength to fight for him
And help me understand
Help me to accept your will
No matter what the plan.
Lord, I know you’ll answer me
And yes, I know you care
Thanks again for hearing
One father’s heartfelt prayer.

If someone stopped to ask him
Are things going all right?
He’d feel no need to mention
He didn’t sleep all night.
If we were given just a glimpse
If we could see in part
What thoughts and hopes are there to find
Within this father’s heart?

A father’s voice…

My child was born fragile
Its my job to be strong
And tell my wife things will be fine
(And pray that I’m not wrong)
And still the bills need to get paid
And things need to be done
And it’s so hard just sitting here…
I want to hold my son!

I lean down as I watch him breathe
Keep fighting is my plea
I thought I’d teach you to be brave
But son, you have taught me.
I hear the beeping of machines
That help my child to live.
I wish that I could take his place.
There’s nothing that I wouldn’t give
To have the faith and strength I need
To hold back all my tears.
To say “I know he’ll be okay,”
Despite all of my fears.

I’ll only lose composure
When no one’s here to see
I will be the strong one
As I’m supposed to be.
A daddy says, “Come to my arms
I’ll chase all those monster’s away”
I cannot change God’s plan for him
But I can hope and pray.

A daddy needs to cry sometimes,
And God must see right through,
That tough daddy exterior…
For He’s a daddy too.

~Stephanie Ballard

Father’s Day Shout Out Time

Steph’s poem is a shout out to her husband. Now it’s your turn. Please feel free to leave a shout out in the comment box for the special needs father in your child’s life this Father’s Day.

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