A Look At Fatherhood

I thank God for my father and for all of you who are seeking to lead your children in the ways of God.

As we thank God for our fathers (honoring them as Scripture says), we recognize how different we are but how much we are alike.

If you would like to read about my father and my love for him, I have written two tributes about him.

http://waylonbailey.com/2012/06/16/a-fathers-day-tribute/. Here is one I wrote on Valentine’s Day http://waylonbailey.com/2013/02/14/remembering-my-dad/

What can we say about our selves as fathers?

First, we are all flawed. None is perfect. We all need a Savior, and we all need His direction in our lives.

Often when I preach a funeral message, I mention how the person wasn’t perfect. Sometimes I cringe at the thought of saying that about the deceased. It’s true of course about you and about me and about all humans.

We really do need God to show us His way. As we yield ourselves to Him, we can be the better fathers we desire to be.

Second, because we are flawed we all have a tendency to be too harsh or to be passive. Both are harmful to our children.

To overcome these natural tendencies we have, we need God’s wisdom. We find that kind of wisdom in His Word, and we find it in believing prayer. As we desire what God can give, He will change us as He desires.

Third, in spite of our failings we all have tremendous influence. Children look up to their fathers. If we grow in God as they grow in independence, we can continue to have positive influences on our children.

Finally, we all have an opportunity to bless our children. God spoke this beautifully to the people of Israel: “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).

None of us can be perfect, but we can all be better leaders for our children as we learn and follow God’s ways.

Tomorrow, my wife Martha will give a guest post about her father. It is a special story. I hope you won’t miss it.

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