1 Timothy 3:8 (KJV) - But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Being a husband and parent requires no words of affirmation, gifts, or acts of kindness. (Even though we all like to be love, appreciated, and understood.) These are 'required' responsibilities. What thanks should I receive for being a good husband? Isn't that what I'm suppose to be? What thanks should I receive for being a good father? Aren't I supposed to do all I can for my daughter?

As a husband, I'm called to love my wife as I love myself. Going even further, I am to love her as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it (Ephesians 5:25). Now, these encompass a lot of day-to-day responsibilities, activities, and actions, but they are founded and built on love.

As a parent of a daughter, I believe it is my purpose to help her grow into a virtuous woman (Proverbs 31:10-31). I want a man to be thanking God that a woman of her stature exists and he had be blessed (and highly favored) by the Lord to receive her. I want to see him clicking his heel in excitement!

Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

Growing my daughter into a virtuous woman is the 'goal.' Therefore, it is our (my wife and I) responsibility to help and train her reach that 'point.' It's important for her to see how a man treats a woman (by looking at me). It's important for her to see how a virtuous woman lives, acts, and behaves (by looking at my wife). It's important for her to see how marriages survive through good and bad situations. It's important for us to teach her God's Word - to be a doer and not just a hearer. It's important for us to teach her responsibility, commitment, excellence...etc. etc.

See, this is the mark I strive to 'hit' everyday. I feel this is the LEAST I should be doing. I should love, cherish, and help them in every way imaginable. What thanks should I receive from my wife and daughter? I cannot look for their appreciation through 'thank yous,' pats on the back, or any other form of recognition. I have to stand before God knowing that I did all I could to help them fulfill their purpose in Him.

No thanks is necessary.