Verse 1 My oldest learned things the hard way, Which meant his daddy did too. There ain’t a book on raising children For half the things that boy put me through. One day he came around the corner, With something brown there on his hand. Before I knew what he was doing, He shoved that finger where no finger should land. I went running for the bathroom, Trying to blow it from my nose. Saying, “Lord, I know You’re with me… But why this way? Only Heaven knows.” Chorus Those boys gave me a run for my money, Lord, they tested this poor man’s soul. I’ve had poop underneath my fingernails, Been peed on more than I care to know. I’ve caught baby vomit with my mouth— There’s some things you just can’t unsee. I’d look toward Heaven asking, “Why, Lord?” He must’ve been smiling down at me. Verse 2 Bought myself a brand-new car once, Hadn’t had it very long. The boys came running up to tell me Something might’ve gone a little wrong. They’d thrown a handful of little stones Across that shiny factory paint, Then tried to wipe ’em off to fix it— Lord, give me patience… ‘cause I ain’t a saint. Then they both got bows and arrows, Shot ‘em straight up toward the blue. Most folks would’ve started running… Mine just stood there waiting for ’em to come through. Chorus Yeah, those boys gave me a run for my money, Lord, they tested this poor man’s soul. Every time I thought I’d seen it all, They’d find somewhere else to go. I’d shake my head and look toward Heaven, “Lord, what am I supposed to do?” I never heard Him answer… But somehow He always pulled us through. Verse 3 Then along came my little princess, Youngest one and Daddy’s girl. After raising those two wild boys, She was something else entirely in my world. Those boys could make me lose my patience, She could get me with one little smile. I thought maybe God was saying, “You’ve earned an easier child for a while.” But babies don’t stay babies, And boys don’t stay boys for long. Somewhere between the mess and madness, The years got up and quietly moved on. Bridge Now there ain’t poop beneath my fingernails, No little feet running down the hall. Nobody’s throwing rocks across my car, No arrows coming down at all. And I’d never thought I’d say this… After all they put me through… But sometimes I’d give anything For one more crazy afternoon. Final Chorus They gave me a run for my money, And I’d spend every dime today To hear those boys out in the backyard, And my little girl come running my way. I asked God “Why?” a thousand times When I couldn’t understand… Now I think maybe His answer Was the father I became. Every mess, every laugh, every worry, Every prayer when I didn’t know what to do… God wasn’t only raising those children. He was raising their daddy too
