- This coming year 40% of the children born in our country will be born in a home where there is no father.
- The average church attendance breaks down 61% female and 39% male.
- Every Sunday 25% of Christian women go to church without their husband by their side.
We’ve quickly become a country where the men like to play around, but they don’t like to stay around. Despite Ephesians 6:4 saying, “Fathers bring your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord,” it’s the mothers doing the job because the men won’t step up and be a real father. It’s time for fathers in the home to start being the spiritual leaders God has told them to be.
A few years ago there was a full page ad in USA TODAY that was divided into two columns. On the left-hand side of the page it said: What it takes to be a father. Underneath was the picture of a single sperm. On the right hand side of the page the heading read:
“What it takes to be a dad.”
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Read to your children.
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Keep your promises.
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Go for walks together.
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Let your children help with household projects.
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Spend time one-on-one with each child.
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Tell your children about your childhood.
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Go to the zoo, museums, ball games as a family.
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Set a good example.
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Help your children with their homework.
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Show your children lots of warmth and affection.
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Set clear, consistent limits.
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Consider how your decisions will affect your children.
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Listen to your children.
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Know your children’s friends.
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Take your children to work.
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Open a savings account for your children.
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Resolve conflict quickly.
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Take your children to a place of worship.
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Make a kite together.
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Fly a kite together.
It takes more than sperm to be a dad, it takes a man to be a dad.
I am a Christian husband and father, who moonlights as the minister for the church of Christ in Childress, Texas. My wife Lea and I have been married for 22 years. We are doing our best to raise our 4 boys, who are all growing up way too fast.
Great post and it comes on the heels of "Bring your Dad to School" day at my son's school. The good news is about a 100 dads showed up, the bad news is that there is over 700 kids in the school. One little girl just cried the whole time the dads were there because hers did not come. Another asked one of the dads and the teacher there "Why doesn't my dad care enough for me to come?" Ouch!! I am so glad that even with all of my mistakes, God still makes me a good father in my kids eyes mostly because I am present and try to be a good dad.
Love in Christ,
Pat
Great thoughts.
Good blog. Wonder where all of the dad's are today. I wrote a message on Monday's and it was deleted because it said someone else was using it or some such thing. Everyone had a comment on it. Dad's are you listening? You may not can be there for all the things Trey mentioned but how about some of them?
Another great post! It's true. Any man can be a father, but it takes a REAL man to be a DAD! Very powerful…I love to see dads stepping up and taking care of their family. Being a leader in every way possible. Kudos to the REAL DADS out there!
I'm with you, Trey. I want to be the best dad possible for my son.
VERY powerful stuff, Trey. I praise the Lord for a husband who is this kind of man. I appreciate it even more since I didn't have what you described. Thanks.
Thank you for this Trey, makes me feel nostalgic. Great insights you got there.
Great comment, Trey.
I was reading a blog the other day that had a fatherhood-themed topic that I think you'd really enjoy reading. It was:
http://ponderanew.wordpress.com/2009/09/18/unimaginable-love-indescribable-mercy/
Excellent. I thank God that I had a real dad; wish I had been a better one myself.
Those are scary statistics. Growing up my dad and I did a lot together. we build a model car for example. I agree dads should spend time with their kids. I also agree that verse (Ephesians 6:4. I do not have kids yet, but when I do I hope to be the example God wants me to be for them.
In retrospect, I think Jan and I did a good job (with God's help) of raising our children. I shudder at the thought of having to do that in this culture! Being a grandfather is just fine for my style!!
I love the variety of topics you address in your blog, Trey.
This was very interesting.
Everyone should be not only a Dad but a Mom also. God bless.
Wonderful post! I sure wish people would write more encouraging things about being a dad. And that TV shows would start portraying fathers as stronger, more positive influences.
Thanks for sharing this!