Jeff Usher is Be There Dad. He became known as “Coach Jeff” during his 15 years of coaching soccer and basketball in a faith-based recreational league, teaching Sunday school and leading other child focused activities. Jeff is the founder of Be There Dad and the author of two books, Be There Dad and Take Them by the Hand.
While he works as a lawyer to make a living; supporting children by leading and guiding their dads has become his passion in life. He has been happily married for over 30 years and has two grown children.
Climbing the Mountain: A Reflection of Fatherhood I sat on the edge of Iceberg Lake – a majestic place some 6100 feet up in the mountains of Glacier National Park. My daughter and I congratulated each other on a successful hike; then we “feasted” on the turkey sandwiches we had carried for our lunch on…
Life is My Movie – Why Not? Another article from Coach Jeff. If you choose to read on, when you get to the end, you will have received another dose of faith and hope. That is why I write. As Father’s Day approaches, I think of the most important role in my life and why…
Have a Catch Some fifty years ago on a beautiful Pennsylvania summer evening, my dad and I were in the front yard of our tiny house having a catch. Back and forth. Back and forth. Throw and catch. For variety, my dad would slip in a ground ball that I would scoop up and fire…
What Have We Learned? I watched the local news today and saw how people were reacting to the gas shortage caused by the southern pipeline shutdown. Unfortunately, I was reminded of how some folks reacted to the toilet paper shortage not long ago. I saw people hoarding. Filling large gas cans with gallons and gallons,…
In Be There Dad, I wrote “we do not grow because we know the answers, rather because we struggle with the questions.”
Pre-emergent. Applying this treatment to my lawn is supposed to stop weeds before they appear. Pre-emergent is about thinking ahead. It is about confronting the weeds that are lurking below the surface before they blossom. My attention to my lawn now will avoid headaches later. If I do not do something, weeds will pop up…
Perhaps my experience will remind you, too, of the tremendous value of the relationships with our partners; and how their presence remains a constant, no matter the challenges we face.
Be There Dad has consistently promised not to take a side on political matters. However, we have consistently pledged to support and encourage the core values of our dads and their families – what it means to be an American and how to respect others.
The holidays. A season when there seems to never be enough time to get everything accomplished. Most of us are busying looking for just the right gifts while we try to spend time with the ones we love. I wonder if those two objectives can come together. Maybe this Christmas, the best gift we can give is our time
Those who know me and “Coach Jeff” will affirm that I see the glass half full. Many of you would go further and suggest that my glass is overflowing with optimism. I often say, “I have pitched my tent in the land of hope.” Acts 2:26. But in the year of 2020, even I have wondered how we keep up that optimism.