See this picture? It’s one of my favorites. In fact, I’m looking at it right now, blown up and wrapped on canvas, along with a group of other old and new family photos that hang on my den wall.

The girls used to love playing “horsey” with their daddy. I think most kids do. They pile on their invincible dad as he carts them all around the house, their beloved father of super-human strength with super-hero powers. There is nothing a dad can’t do where the minds of most young children are concerned.

I look at him now, and we all still sort of treat him this way. We expect great things from him. We’ve come to know his abilities, his skill to solve problems and take care of things. We’ve come to rest in the comfort of the lifestyle he’s provided, and when challenges come, we still fully expect him to come out on top.

It strikes me how much we take for granted the weight he carries around. Don’t get me wrong; this is his role as head of our family, and he fully accepts and relishes it. But we become so comfortable slung over his back that we forget how heavy the load is. We forget that there will come a day when he answers for how he has led us, that he is accountable to a very big God.

I’m feeling thankful afresh for a man who willingly takes on the responsibility handed to him, and I think I’ll make sure he knows it today. I’m also really thankful he has a Father on whom he can throw himself when things get just a little too heavy. A Father who really is super-human…of Whom it really can be said there is nothing He can’t do.

“Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 NLT

“Wives, understand and support your husbands in ways that show your support for Christ. The husband provides leadership to his wife the way Christ does to his church, not by domineering but by cherishing.” Ephesians 5:22-23 MSG

“But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 ESV