Be a Faithful Father:
1. 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.
2. 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, the internet, smart phones, texting, radio and newspapers came along. Work to eliminate distractions, at least at the dinner table, and focus on the Counselor.
3. 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 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 - first and foremost for my relationship with You that opened the door to my Father. Thank You for my wife and mother of our children. Teach me to love her as You love the Church. Thank You for the blessing of family. Guide me in honoring my father and mother and becoming the husband and father my family needs. Strengthen my relationship with You, help me live that relationship in marriage and reflect it in family every day. Lord, I reaffirm my commitment to be a faithful father - to prioritize my physical presence, be engaged emotionally and lead spiritually by example. I will step up my walk with You through daily time in prayer and scripture, worship and study, to be more Christ-like tomorrow than today under the influence of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
A faithful father prioritizes his physical presence, is engaged emotionally and leads spiritually by example.
