I pray you are putting a great wrap on this Father’s Day month. I have been blessed to spend a good chunk of it in the mountains of Colorado on Faithful Fathering’s father-daughter hiking trip and the father-son backpacking trip. When dads commit time to young-adult children and they mutually take on such a physical challenge, God shows up.

It is a challenge for dads to stay engaged with young-adult children, ages 14-25. The key to staying engaged without being intrusive is a mature relationship. But it takes a lot of effort for dads to grow in relationship with a child as he or she matures. It requires intentionality, input from mom and one-on-one father-child time.

“No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, because all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” … Jesus said to her, “Stop clinging to Me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to My brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your father, and My God and your God.’” – John 15:15 & 20:17. Through His intentionality, one-on-one interaction with each disciple and the challenges they faced together over His three years of ministry, Jesus matured in relationship with His disciples – they grew from slaves to friends and finally to brothers! As slaves, they were grounded in the foundational teaching the Lord provided. As friends, they began to walk in and apply the teaching as the Lord directed. As brothers, they would carry Jesus’ ministry forward as He returned to His Father. Similarly, dads are to be intentional in grounding kids in the foundational teaching and family values in the first 10-years of life. The second 10-years calls for engagement that empowers kids in their faith and encourages them to make wise choices in the midst of confusing influences. And with adult children, the word is availability. This is the time for faith-related encouragement and letting go in love.

Tips to carry the momentum of Father’s Day month onward:

• Remember kids spell love T I M E – Keep track of your MARBLES;
• Ask the youth or family minister how you can be of help with an upcoming event;
• Start a fathering movement in your church - include an annual father-child retreat;
• Commit time to teach your child how to drive;
• Schedule extended one-on-one time such as a hiking trip or an activity that aligns with your child’s interests. Initiate discussion around job searches and college visits.

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for Your example and Your call for me to disciple my family. I confess I have kept the job description as a dad to financial provider and disciplinarian. This has not facilitated healthy, maturing relationships with the kids. Forgive me. Help me open my heart and my calendar to prioritize right stuff during the short 15 to 18 years You grant me to invest in and disciple my kids. I want to carry the momentum of this Father’s Day month onward. I commit to scheduling routine one-on-one time with You, with my bride and with each child in order to nurture healthy and mature relationships. That is the dad You call me to be and that is the dad my kids need to see. Amen.

A faithful father carries the momentum of Father’s Day month onward.