Fatherhood

Sunday’s Monday

Wow! I must tell you about this week! Great men’s lunch meeting this week, made a new acquaintance after the meeting and the subject matter was great. Received our third great-grandchild (Gabriel Rocket) on Wednesday and he’s beautiful. Had my first sleep study on Friday and was that an experience. Didn’t seem to help my sleep however I was breathing better when I left. God has blessed our little family far beyond our wildest dreams. Thank you, Lord!

Considering, today is Father’s Day, I felt God wanted me to address the issue of fatherhood. Fatherhood is defined in dictionary.com as; the state of being a father or (my favorite), the qualities or spirit of a father. What are the qualities or spirit of a father? Mr. Reed Markham noted author and educator said, “The quality of a father can be seen in the goals, dreams and aspirations he sets not only for himself, but for his family.”

Success Resources .com, list 12 qualities or traits of a great father and I whole heartedly agree with their findings. 1. He’s a good disciplinarian; 2. He allows his kids to make mistakes; 3. He’s open-minded; 4. He teaches his children to appreciate things; 5. He accepts that his kids aren’t exactly like him; 6. He spends quality time with his children; 7. He leads by example; 8. He’s supportive & loyal; 9. He challenges his kids; 10. He teaches his children lessons; 11. He protects his family at all costs; 12. He shows unconditional love. Yes! This is strictly a secular view of fatherhood, but each point is valid and important toward being a great father.

However, should this be my list, I would have included a 13th quality or trait of a great father. I understand now (after almost 50 years of being a dad) what each of these qualities mean and how they can only be correctly performed through the power and wisdom of Jesus. My # 13 is written in Proverbs 22:6 (NLT), Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it. These qualities are nothing new, even though we writers tend to present them as our own idea. They were taught over a thousand years ago and miraculously they continue to work to this day. As a boy of 19 my bride and I became parents by title only, as we had no clue of how to raise children. This was during my play church years and the only biblical rule I understood was Proverbs 13:24 (NLT), Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them. I loved my children and was hard on them because I thought it was the right thing to do! Then I grew into a young man (notice I said grew and not matured) and even then, I was dumb as a rock, when it came to raising children. I had absolutely no understanding of what Colossians 3:21 (NLT), Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged was insinuating. I was discouraging the heck out of our three kids.

I had to little knowledge of God’s word and no recollection of Philippians 1:6 (NLT), And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. However today is a much better read than 25 years ago. I have come to not only understand but to be completely thankful for what God did for me and my children. Even though I wasn’t the father I should or could have been, God had started a good work in me and my children, and He continues His work today.

The message for today is, most of us will never be a great father but we have the Greatest Father with the perfect plan covering our backs. He encourages us in; 1 Peter 5:9-10 (NLT), 9 Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers[a] all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are. 10 In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So, after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.

I pray, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 (NLT), 23 Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. 24 God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful. Aman

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK BY BEING A BLESSING TO OTHERS!

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