The purpose of this article isn’t to enter into the endless debate over the licensing of the female species for operation of automobiles. Instead, this is an impassioned appeal to you men out there—Dad, I’m talking to you. Why do you let Mom drive so often? And I’m not talking about the minivan. I’m talking about all of the responsibility that falls on your wife to take the initiative. She makes the schedules. She keeps up with the kids’ soccer practices, plans the dinners (and makes every one of them), bathes the kids, and makes sure they are up for school in some semblance of clothing with backpacks and lunches packed. And what do you do? Well, you go to work. It’s hard at work. Your boss is so demanding. Can’t your family just understand that you want to come home and relax?
Man up, Dad. You think you are more exhausted than Mom when you get home at 6:30pm? You’ve been working with at least somewhat rational beings all day. She’s been at home waging war against the most irrational creatures to walk the face of the earth…that will wear on a person. Oh, so you spilled coffee on your tie on the commute to work and it ruined your day? Well, Mom’s been potty-training Johnny, and he had accidents #23 and #24 on the bathroom rug—one of which was a runny #2. But it’s okay, Dad. You deserve to relax, sit back, and be passive when you get home. When you’re at work, you’re the man of the office; you drive the car; you call the shots. Mom needs to realize that you are tired of leading all day, and you need her to drive for a while.
Again, I say, man up, Dad. Your wife needs you to drive the car. She needs you to pile all of the kids, the dog, and her—your lovely, adoring, faithful, and patient bride—into the vehicle and drive. She needs you to lead. She’s tired of being the one trying to do family devotions while you are secretly checking ESPN under the table. She’s had enough Sundays where she has to rouse you from bed in time for church just like one of the kids. Why does she always have to take the lead when it comes to talking to your kids about Jesus? Dad, quit letting Mom drive!
Ephesians 6:4 states, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Dad, who’s driving the family to church? You have a responsibility before God to be leading your children and your wife. You have a specific command to be teaching your children. So how’s that coming? Is Mom the one spending her last ounce of energy to get the kids to Sunday School every week while you say, “Honey, let’s just skip this week”? Is she the one losing her sanity in the toddler class while you sleep in and meet her at the 11:00am service? Why aren’t you leading?
It’s okay though, Dad. It’s Mom’s job to drive. You’re just dozing off in the passenger seat. She’s got it all together just fine; she doesn’t need your help right? Besides, you’re always so swamped with responsibilities at work that God will understand. It’s not disobedience if you have a good excuse, right?
C’mon, Dad. The kids are waiting. Everyone’s buckled in. Mom’s gazing at you through the window begging you with her gentle eyes to get in the car and drive. So what are you gonna do? Will you lead? You signed up for all of this the moment you uttered those words, “I Do.” So what’s it going to be? Will you man up?
