Loving sons does not sound as sweet as loving daughters but sons need love from dad too. While some men had exemplary dads that expressed their love often through words of affirmation and encouragement, others have never experienced the love of a father. Most of us fall somewhere between. The example you grew up under may not be the one to emulate.
There can be no blame put on dads or father-figures that failed to provide the right example. Your dad and mine did the best they could with the cards life dealt them. We cannot wear their shoes and there is nothing gained in judging men we have no right to judge. The better choice is to look to the example the Heavenly Father gives us.
And a voice from Heaven said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased.” – Matthew 3:17. The Father’s love for His Son provides the example for all dads to follow in expressing love to their sons, especially at key junctures of their development. But first, it is important for every dad to embrace the love of the Father to the full. Matthew gives us an opportunity to experience and accept the love of the Father. Paul provides the validation of our status as sons: The Spirit you received does not make you slaves again to fear; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. … we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. – Romans 8:15-17. As adoptees, each of us are sons of our Heavenly Father. As sons, we have an opportunity to embrace the love of Abba, Father to the full and a responsibility to reflect His love in family. If the Father thought it important to send His Son to be with us physically for a time, then dads can love their sons by prioritizing physical presence in their lives. If He thought it significant to send the Counselor to engage with the disciples, dads can love their sons by being engaged emotionally with them. And if the Father gave us His Spirit-filled word to provide a biblical worldview for all to follow, then dads can love their sons by leading spiritually by example.
Tips for loving sons:
Commit to regular one-on-one time – breakfast, ice-cream or a ballgame;
Contact Faithful Fathering to coordinate a father-son retreat with your church;
Be the one that teaches him how to drive – wonderful ‘windshield time’;
Lead the way to church and initiate spiritual discussion between Sundays;
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for Your word and the opportunity to raise a son. I confess that I followed my father’s example as a heavy-handed disciplinarian for too many years. Forgive me. Thank You for Your example as the perfect Father. Through reading Your word and utilizing the tips above, I am loving my son. Help me continue to invest well by prioritizing physical presence, engaging emotionally and leading spiritually by example. I want to emulate Your perfect example in family. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my son needs to see. Amen.
A faithful father emulates the Father's example of loving His Son.
