When I think of dads, of course, my own father comes to mind.  I find it difficult to put into words the power of a father especially my own.  My dad was raised in Hawaii under the watchful eye of his Italian father and loving Hawaiian mother.  My father has always been a great example of strength, faith, love, service and many other Christ-like traits.  I am eternally grateful to be able to call him “dad.”

I was asked if I would be interested in reading a new book by the author Greg Trimble called “Dads Who Stay and Fight.”  I love to read and I was curious if a book written by a father to a father would help me since I am a mother.  When it came in the mail, I began to pour over it’s pages, but I couldn’t read it like a regular novel.  When I open a book written by Traci Hunter Abramson, Annette K. Larsen or Julianne Donaldson, I can’t put the novel down.  I need to find out how it ends and so the rest of the world tends to fade into the background for a few hours as I explore a world of imagination.

This book “Dads Who Stay and Fight” is not my typical leisure reading that helps me unwind sometimes at the end of the day.  This book forced me to think, ponder and pray about my own life and how my thoughts and actions effect my own husband who is a dad and my children who call him daddy.  Was there lessons to be learned in a book written to fathers?  My heart wants to shout “Yes!”

Tim Ballard who founded Operation Underground Railroad wrote the Foreword for this book and he had me hooked from the first page.  I have never read a more powerful foreword and to be honest, I haven’t read too many forewords in the 100’s of books that I have read in the past.  I was curious to see why Tim Ballard who rescues children from sex trafficking fit into a book about dads.  Boy, was I in for an awakening.  He was the perfect fit to kick off this fantastic book.  I have felt a strong pull towards Operation Underground Railroad as my heart has broken for the millions of children forced into sex trafficking.  It is sick and disgusting.  My family and I have struggled just putting food on the table and I have often wished I was wealthy.  I would give all of my money to help support this organization.  To find out how I finally received inspiration on how I can help this organization and eventually help end human trafficking, read here.

There is a tremendous tie between what Tim’s rescue mission is all about and what I feel has inspired Greg Trimble to put into words how a dad can be hero to their family.  I don’t want to give away that powerful connection so just go pick up your book today!  You can purchase it at Deseret Book store or find it on Amazon.

Let me just share with you some of the highlights from this book.  I have to tell you that there is so much in this book that I loved that I began to highlight many sections thinking I could add it into this review, yet by the 4th chapter, I realized I was highlighting almost every other page!

So, let’s get down to some of the reasons why I was so touched by this book.  I love how Greg taught how dads and Christ have many similar characteristics.  We know that Jesus Christ is our elder brother as well as the creator and father of this earth.  He is our advocate with our Heavenly Father and we are taught that if we follow in Jesus Christ’s footsteps, we will be able to be like him and return to live as families forever.  At the bottom of page 9, Greg talks about how Jesus Christ knew what he was fighting for.  He said that God knew he was “walking into a war zone” and that he was going to “battle for His family… All He had to do to avoid bleeding from every pore… and His impeding Crucifixion was to walk up that hill over into the Judean desert… but He stayed… He fought for His family.”

That begins the theme throughout the book how dads can fight like Christ did for those He loved by fighting for our homes and families.  The book is full of powerful stories of fathers and their own personal triumphs and struggles.  I love how he shared such a wide range of examples in portraying the different qualities, roles and characteristics of a dad that fights.

Since this would end up being an extremely long post if I was to share all of the thoughts and parts of this book that touched me.  I will share a few quotes from the book and leave with my conclusions of the overall impressions and feelings that make me want every mother and every father no matter what religion or race to read and ponder this fantastic book.

“Good dads are masters at investing their time.  They never spend it.  They always invest it.”

Quoting Tommy Lasorda “Managing is like holding a dove in your hand.  Squeeze too hard and you kill it, not hard enough and it flies away.”

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink… make your kids thirsty for the things you’re teaching by “salting the oats.”

“The very thought of my family suffering stirred a love within me that can only be described as divine.”

“There are rarely work emergencies that are truly worthy of interrupting quality family time.”

Quoting John Dye “You can never make a more indelible mark on the world than the mark you make on the lives of your family members.”

I also loved the section on adoption when Greg said, “It was the God of heaven, the most powerful being in this universe, who utilized the principle of adoption to bring forth and raise the Son of God.”  As I have begun to build my new family history website at Family History Life, I recently shared my thoughts on this same subject although my Hawaiian ancestors call it hanai.

I loved the section about Moroni and how he fortified his city and what lessons we can take from that scripture story.  Greg teaches us through Moroni’s example how we can build our own forts and fortify our homes.  There is also the story of the Anti-Nephi-Lehi men that I never really connected before until I heard an inspired insight from Greg’s book.  There was a great part in the book about Nephi and how he went and did what God commanded him.  I am hanging this in my children’s rooms and in the family room as a reminder to my family that the choices we make are extremely important and we can either “go and do” or “sit and stew.” 

This book and printable would make an excellent gift for Father’s and Mother’s Day, maybe just add a bit of chocolate to this mother’s day gift!

In conclusion, if you want to be inspired, uplifted and receive insight into how you can become a better father or mother, purchase Greg Trimble’s book “Dads Who Stay and Fight.”  It will leave you questioning your own role in the lives of your children and spouse as you take one step closer towards them in building a fortress in your home that will be able to withstand the destructive powers spreading throughout the world.

Download the pdf file to print your own sign.

Share the Meme below on Instagram, tag @trimblegreg and @brightlystreet

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