The New Year offers a unique opportunity to start anew in an area of your life that may have suffered some neglect over the past year. That’s what resolutions are about. Yet, the lifespan of most New Year resolutions is measured in days! This year step up as the dad the next generation needs with a resolution that is grounded in the Truth. Resolve across 2014 to be more engaged in raising a godly generation.
GROUNDING FOR THIS NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION:
- Prioritize your 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.
- Be engaged emotionally with your 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. Work to eliminate distractions, at least at the dinner table, and focus on the Counselor.
- Lead spiritually by example. ‘For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.’ – Romans 8:29. Christ-likeness is what men are to be conformed to. Commit to be more Christ-like tomorrow than today – spend time in prayer and scripture together as a family, lead the way to church, teach Sunday school, volunteer with the Youth Leadership - and the journey will bless your family for generations to come.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the many gifts and blessings in my life, may I never take them for granted. Strengthen my relationship with You, guide me in living that relationship in marriage and reflecting it in family every day. Be with me as I resolve to be a faithful father – to prioritize my physical presence, be engaged emotionally and lead spiritually by example by Your grace and for Your glory. Amen.
As a faithful father, I resolve to:
- prioritize my physical presence in the home and at my children’s activities by (Putting kids’ activities on my calendar; getting home from work at a consistent time; communicating potential conflicts ahead of time)
- work at being more engaged emotionally by (Committing to eat dinner together as a family 5X per week; spending regular one-on-one time with each child)
- lead spiritually by example by (Spending personal time in prayer & scripture daily; Leading the way to church; leading regular family devotion time)
Please comment on how you will fill in the blanks this New Year.
