The Three Ps of Being a Dad

Read This:

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become disheartened.

Think:

Here’s what we know: Dads are important. That may sound overly simplistic, but it doesn’t make the principle behind it any less true. Whether you are one, you have an active relationship with yours or you long for a better connection to your father, that relationship is one of the most defining ones anyone can have.

Understanding and analyzing this relationship and role can get complicated, but for the purposes of this post, we wanted to boil the idea of fatherhood down to three major components.

1. It’s a privilege.
   Not every man can be a dad and not everyone can have a special relationship with their father. So don’t take that lightly. The world has a lot to say about what being a real man is all about, but it can actually be boiled down to this: being a real man means respecting those who have come before you and working hard to establish a legacy to inspire those that come after you.
   
2. It’s a priority.
   A father’s relationship with his children informs so much of the rest of their lives. But not only that, it also informs the trajectory of a family so don’t take that lightly. Embrace the role you have been given and be honored that others trust you with their physical, spiritual and emotional lives.
   
3. It’s a placeholder.
   Your dad, no matter how great he is, pales in comparison to your Heavenly Father. And if you are a dad, so too will you. And that’s ok. It’s God we’re talking about. You were never going to out-Dad the Ultimate Dad. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do your best. If you are always pointing your kids to God, then even your failures will point to His Goodness.

Finally, take heart if you never were able to connect with your Dad or if the relationship isn’t what you want it to be. You have a Heavenly Father who is dying to have a relationship with you and there is no love like the love of our Father in Heaven.

Comment:

What are some lessons your father taught you? What are some lessons you hope to teach your children.

Pray:

God, I pray right now for my dad. Where ever he is, whatever he is doing and however he is, I pray for your grace, guidance and blessing upon him. I also thank you for being the ultimate father. Our heavenly Dad that we can always turn to no matter what.