A good dad....

It is in our nature to compare things.  We want the most value for our dollar, so we buy the big jug of bbq sauce, or the large pail of ice cream.  We look at batting averages and shooting percentages and make evaluations on the value of athletes to our fantasy sports teams.  We keep track of the gas mileage our car gets and then share it at our next family reunion to brag /complain.

             When we say someone is a ‘good dad’, we are using some sort of measuring stick.  Often we use the behavior of kids- but this is problematic as children are free moral beings and can reject the ways of their parents- many godly parents could attest to this painful reality.  Good dads can end up with little stinkers that become big stinkers.

            A good dad is one who leads his family in walking in the ways of God.  He follows God’s word, listening and obeying.  He leads his family in bending their heart to the Lord, repenting of their sins both to the Lord and to one another. He accurately portrays what God the father is like by his own character and life.  He makes it hard for his wife and kids to walk away from Jesus, who calls them all to follow him.   He is one who carries a deep sense of amazement at the fact that God has rescued him and sees his whole life lived as thankfulness to that reality.

             May God make me that kind of dad.  May God fill his church with these kind of men.