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As dads, we are our sons’ first hero and our daughters’ first love.

With that comes a ton of pressure, and I am certain that I can’t live up to those expectations on my own.

I pray each morning during my quiet time that God gives me the wisdom, the strength, and the patience to be both these things to my kids—a hero to Macklin and an example of what love is to Hadley and Cooper.

I stumble. I fail. I screw it up all too often. And there are many days where I fall way short of these expectations.

But I do my best to admit it. To learn from it. To talk it out with the kids and to be better coming out of it.

Men, all we know is that one day our girls will seek out someone that treats them just like we do.

And that our boys will grow up watching us, emulating us, striving to be more like us, and eventually treating those around them just like we treat those around us.

RELATED: Teach Your Son What Love Looks Like

So this morning I vow to pray for all of the dads out there. And I promise to do this more often.

And if you ever have an extra request to send up to the big guy, please pray for me.

I’d appreciate it.

This post originally appeared on the author’s Instagram page.

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So God Made a Mother's Story Keepsake Journal

Brandon Janous

Hubby of 1 | Daddy to 3 | Serial Entrepreneur | Speaker | Writer | Storyteller | VP @getfaithbox

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