My Dad Is Superman

Hear, my children, the instruction of a father,
And give attention to know understanding;
For I give you good doctrine:
Do not forsake my law.
When I was my father’s son,
Tender and the only one in the sight of my mother,
He also taught me, and said to me:
“Let your heart retain my words;
Keep my commands, and live. Proverbs 4:1-4

In the summers when we were little, my sister and I would occasionally go with my dad to work-days at the high school where he was a social studies teacher. In his room, someone had painted on his podium a likeness of Superman, but on Superman’s chest were the letters SC, and I believe it had the words above or below, “Super Cole.” Back in those days my dad (Mr. Cole) looked somewhat like Clark Kent, but he was also a favorite teacher to a lot of his students. There’s just something about him that is so likable. Whatever it is, it’s that same something that often landed him in leadership roles, things like being head of the Social Studies department in that school and later becoming an elder in my home church. He’s never been the hard-charging, ambitious type; doesn’t put himself out there seeking power. But he’s responsible, confident, and has such a good and friendly nature, people just naturally look to him for wisdom.

Of course all of these traits made him a good leader of our home as well. He led by example. Besides teaching and often coaching, he and Mom made supper together most nights, chatting about the days’ events as they worked. He helped clean the house. He took care of the cars and the finances. He mowed the lawn. And of course three times a week, he drove us to church, often going out of the way to pick up an elderly member who didn’t have transportation. He frequently taught adult Bible classes, led prayers, and even preached occasionally. What’s more, he still does most of these things, and now without Mom’s help because of her dementia. He now handles everything– laundry, shopping, cooking, etc.

Yet he is always cheerful. As I was growing up, he rarely seemed stressed or exhausted. He often played with my sister and me, closing us up in a large bed sheet and dragging us around the the house (we called those “sack rides”), telling us “dolly stories” from behind the bed, and throwing the softball back and forth in the front yard. He would invite us to go with him on errands to the bank and car wash. The bank was boring, but they did give us “Kitty Saver” cards with slots for saving coins, and when we got old enough, Dad made us keep a ledger of our income (usually a dollar here and there from the grandparents) and expenses (usually candy or record albums). At the car wash my sister and I would stay in the car and pretend it was a storm. He would make silly faces and spray right at us as we peeked out, squealing with excitement.

For many years he was a teacher, a coach, an investment club president, and an elder. Now he keeps up his Superman credentials as caretaker to my mom. Otherwise he is mostly Grandpa, even Great-Grandpa now. But I am one of two lucky people who get to call him Dad.

They say that fathers are the primary shapers of their children’s view of God. My dad isn’t perfect, but because of him, I see the heavenly Father as full of love, eager to forgive, patient and giving, always having time for His children. I see God not as harsh and demanding, but as someone you want to obey and spend time with because He is trustworthy and good.

I see God as happy and desirous to share that happiness with His children now and for eternity. The Bible says that God is love, and so we know intellectually it must be true. Because of my dad, I know it in my heart, too.

The righteous man walks in his integrity; his children are blessed after him. Proverbs 20:7

by Christie Cole Atkins

Dear God, I thank You for my earthly father and I pray You would continue to strengthen him to bear his burdens with joy and faith in You as he always has. Help me to carry on the tradition of kindness and wisdom the he learned from his father, and which we all can learn from Jesus. Bless those who do not have good examples in their parents; help them to know that You love them like no one else could. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

Related Reading:

Figure of the Father