That's My Dad

You may know him as the one who daily reenacted the Incredible Hulk or the Tickle Monster; the provider; the disciplinarian; the hard worker; the strong, safe arms; or the voice that sang you to sleep at night, but to everyone else he is your dad.  For those of us who grew up with a good, godly daddy we are truly blessed.

While celebrating "the man" this Father’s Day I would like moms and dads to take time to remember what character of a man the Father wants today’s dads to reflect.

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3)

What are you doing, my son?  What are you doing, son of my womb?  What are you doing, son of my vows?  Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Open your mouth, judge righteously; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Proverbs 31:2-5, 8-9)

From these brief scriptures, we can learn a few characteristics of the godly man dad’s should portray:

• He delights in God’s word.
• He meditates (memorizes and reflects) on God’s word.
• He teaches his children the ways of the Lord throughout everyday interactions (See Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
• He keeps good, honorable company.
• His work is prosperous.
• He is temperate with, or abstains from, alcohol consumption.
• He defends the cause of the poor, orphaned, and the needy.

Dad's, your job description was never 9 to 5 exclusive. Rather, it has always extended to the 24/7 time frame.  Children learn much more from parents than what we say; they watch what we do, how we do it, and who we give the credit to for jobs well done.

How we live out what we say is the biggest lesson our children will learn.

He didn’t tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.  — Clarence Budington Kelland

I talk and talk and talk, and I haven’t taught people in 50 years what my father taught by example in one week. — Mario Cuomo

One night a father overheard his son pray, “Dear God, make me the kind of man my Daddy is.” Later that night the father prayed, “Dear God, make me the kind of man my son wants me to be.” --Unknown

Fathers, this yearly holiday is an opportunity to rediscover The Father and His Word. In order to prepare this generation of little boys to become the men of whom future generations boast, "That's my dad."

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty. — Unknown