The fathers who were at Bethany Baptist Church, Sunday morning, were each given a booklet, “Man of God.” Darlene Sorensen sang a song honoring fathers and Pastor Bob Sorensen brought a message out of 1 Thessalonians 2:7-12 that he called, “The Portrait of a Father.”
A godly father demonstrates fond affection toward his children. Some men have never learned how to show their affection. Some children have never heard their father say, “I love you.” A child needs to be appreciated for what he is and what he does.
A father needs to be transparent. If the father is worried about something, he should be open about it. Trying to hide problems will not solve them, and when he makes a mistake, admit it.
A good father demonstrates unselfish diligence. Many people can think back to their own fathers and say that, “He was a hard worker.” It is sad when a father has been irresponsible, lazy, and thoughtless. A hard working father should not carry working to an extreme to put his job above his family, but still he is to be commended when he provides for his own.
The good father is spiritually authentic. How rare it is for the father to be the spiritual leader of the family. Many men have left this to the wife. He should take the lead by hungering after righteousness and set a godly standard by example.
The father should be a positive influence, and encourager to his children. It is said that the typical exchange between fathers and their children is more often negative than positive. What kind of deposit are you making in the memory bank of your children. How much better to be giving your children positive memories.
When you consider what your children need, you may think of such things as money, food or clothes, but what a child really needs is for Dad to be there. His greatest gift to his children is himself.
