Some holidays feel less like a celebration and more like a funeral. 

Today I am feeling for my friends who long to become fathers.

This is for the men who are waiting and wondering when and how and why.

This is for the men who continue to pray for change and mercy and a miracle.

This is for the men who have had to say goodbye to a child they love.

This is for the men who hold pain and shame behind their smile.

This is for the men who want to fix the way life has become, but can’t.

This is for the men who mourn the life they thought they would have.

This is for the men who wonder how much more they can give, how much more they can take, how much more they can say the same prayer again and again.

This is for the men who dream of one day being called dad.

This is for the men who feel less and forgotten and behind.

This is for the men who continue to wait and trust and hope. 

A Prayer:

God, would you continue to draw near?
Shadow me with your grace and mercy.
Meet my darkness with your guiding light.
Help me to believe that I am not forgotten, but that I am seen and known and loved.
Even in this.
Even through this.
Even on the days when all hope seems to be lost.
Amen. 

About the Author

Tanner Olson is an author, poet, speaker, and podcaster living in Nashville, Tennessee.

He is the author of I’m All Over the Place, As You Go, Walk A Little Slower, and Continue: Poems and Prayers of Hope.

You can find Tanner Olson’s books on Amazon.

His podcast is The Walk A Little Slower Podcast with Tanner Olson and can be found wherever you listen to podcasts.

Tanner Olson travels around the country sharing poetry, telling stories, and delivering messages of hope.

You can follow Tanner Olson on Instagram (@writtentospeak) and Facebook where you’ll daily find encouraging words of faith and hope.