Infinite Grace Ministries changes lives by teaching a deeper understanding of God’s Word and His love for people. To honor fathers, I want to emphasize the importance of Dad’s role in their sons and daughters lives, and express my gratitude for all who take that role seriously; sometimes sacrifi cing what you’d rather do, to give yourself to your children. My Dad, who went to be with the Lord in September, 2022, was active in the no-till farming operation he enjoyed until the age of 88. I deeply appreciate the example he set for me—his life-long love for God; his determination to be cheerful even when life was hard; a well-balanced work ethic; his faithfulness as a husband and so important, his love for my sister, brother and I and for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Now Galen, my hardworking and faithful husband of 53 years, continues his example to our sons and their families.
It seems we’ve come to see fatherhood as such a common everyday—even disposable—occurrence that we don’t consider the great importance and long term impact of daddies on children. But studies show that when dads are affectionate, supportive, and involved, they contribute greatly to their children’s cognitive, language and social development; academic achievement and spiritual growth; giving them a strong inner sense of resourcefulness, well-being and belonging.
A dad’s connection—or lack of connection—affects all of his children’s relationships from birth to death, including the friends they choose, and later on, their spouse. Those early interactive patterns are the ones adopted by the children— with their own unique personality additions.
Girls look for men who exhibit patterns similar to their dads. When Dad is kind and loving, they look for those characteristics. When Dad is abusive or emotionally distant, they’ll find men with those patterns because, even though they hate the patterns, it feels familiar.
Adding their own unique personality characteristics, boys model themselves after their dads—even when he’s absent; longing for his approval. The man who never feels that he is pleasing to his dad, or believes he’s never met his dad’s expectations, will often still be struggling to win approval long after his dad’s death—and continually feeling as though he has failed.
In 2010, according to data analyzed by the Brookings Institution, married couples now represent only 48 percent of American households—far below the 78% percent occupied by married couples in 1950. Currently, as American families continue to break apart, only 20% of households are traditional married couples with children.
New dads as well as those with adult children, have life-long influence. Because of the destructive changes in family relationships, along with the physical distance often involved in the breakup, dads must be even more intentional about being with their children. That will likely require forgiveness in the relationship with the children’s mother(s), to make the frequent transition from home to home easier for the children. As difficult as forgiveness can be, it’s a valuable investment in the lives of the children entrusted to you by God.
Dads, how you interact with your children has a powerful impact on their acceptance or rejection of God’s love. Offer the gift of unselfish love toward them and their mother. For the love of your children, receive God’s love and share it with them!
“Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to resentment], but rear them [tenderly] in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord…be strong in the Lord; draw your strength from Him. Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.” Ephesians_ Call 580-774-2884 for more information on how growing in intimacy with Father God can make each man a better Daddy.
