As you might expect, June is my favorite month of the year because it is Father’s Day month. It is a great reminder for all men – dads, adoptive dads and spiritual fathers, how important a father is. With our Heavenly Father sharing the moniker ‘father’ with us, the call to step into the role is indeed a high calling. Commit this day to take a step forward on your fathering journey and may this be your best Father's Day yet.

THIS FATHER’S DAY, June 20th, 2021, I commit as a faithful father to move forward with a New Perspective gleaned from what has been experienced as a family across this past year. I will:

1. Prioritize my physical presence in the home and with family. ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning … The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.’ - John 1:1-2, 14. Just as God provided a connection with Him through the physical presence of His Son, a father provides a connection to the Father by being present and accounted for in family. We have experienced more time together as a family as outside activities got cancelled. I have a new perspective on the value of this time and I will be intentional to continue prioritizing physical presence.
2. Be engaged emotionally with my wife and kids. ‘If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth.’ – John 14:15-17. Jesus anticipated emotional distractions long before 150 cable channels, i-phones, texting, radio and newspapers, not to mention other worries, frustrations and discouragement that came with the pandemic. Across this past year, we did engage better as a family when a number of distractions, especially the busy-ness of calendars chock-full of activities, were eliminated. I will step forward with a New Perspective for emotional engagement, especially at the dinner table, with a focus on the Counselor.
3. Lead spiritually by example. ‘Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.’ – Ephesians 6:2. One positive around watching church services online ‘During Covid’ has been the spiritual discussion that has happened in real time with the kids. I was busted because I have fallen short as the spiritual leader in my home. I will continue the momentum by discussing the pastor’s sermon and scripture passage as a family. I will also utilize a ConnectCard, Devotions for Dads book or other devotion material weekly to initiate more spiritual discussion in the home.

     As a faithful father, I pledge to:
          prioritize my physical presence;
             be engaged emotionally; and,
                   lead spiritually by example.
     (Click HERE to download a pdf of FF’s Father’s Day pledge)

Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the many gifts and blessings in my life, may I never take them for granted. Thank You for the opportunity to reflect Your triune nature as a faithful father – to be present physically, engaged emotionally and lead spiritually. Strengthen me to accept responsibility for the opportunity You offer as I pledge to be a faithful father – to be the father You expect me to be, the father my family needs. Amen.

A faithful father commits to take a step forward with the Father's Day pledge.