This weekend it is time to remember our dads. What are the key memories you have of your father? Mine are of my dad as hard working, stoic, faithful, tough, clever. Dad could do anything. Well nearly. He wasn’t much good at hugs, playing soccer, coming to school events or relaxing. I have spent a portion of my life wanting to be like my dad, then not wanting to be like my dad, now accepting I am like a lot like my dad.

Family relationships are complex. We have history together, good and bad. We grow and change, but can struggle to let each other grow and change. Often each family member has a ‘role’, and people are expected to play their parts. Families experience the challenging cycle of life: parents care for children, and one day, children care for parents.

These relationships shape us. And from my experience—first as a son, now as a dad—I’ve learned that it’s messy. Here is the sobering conclusion: all families have imperfect parents. This should be no surprise, but I wonder if we can accept this? Can we accept our parents in their imperfections? Can we accept that, despite our best efforts, we won’t be perfect ourselves? Can we accept that our families won’t be perfect either? Can we accept that God uses these imperfections to help us live faithfully in an imperfect world? That’s a lesson I learned from my parents. And now, inevitably, it’s one I’m passing on to my children.

In Him,

Jason