Peyton Manning is known as one of the National Football League’s greatest quarterbacks blasting past Brett Favre’s record 508 career touchdown passes this week. Behind the performance on the field he is known as a man with a tremendous work ethic and discipline, watching hours of video to know the next week’s opponent and running offensive drills that will help prepare his team. He is known as an athlete that pushes himself physically and mentally even through the valley of multiple neck surgeries just a few years ago. These are great qualities to be passed on to the next generation.
What are you known for? During several overnight campouts on church grounds this month, we distributed interview cards to the dads and kids participating to see how well they knew each other. Questions included: Do you know your kid’s best friend and what makes that person a best friend? Do you know your kid’s hero? Do you know your kid’s greatest achievement this past year from their perspective? What do you need to discuss with your kid in the next six months? The fun began when the kids tried to answer the same questions about their dad. This led to some great “tent talk” and a realization amongst us dads that we not only need to stay tuned in to know our kids but that we also need to be intentional about letting our kids get to know us.
Philp said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.” Jesus answered: “Don’t you know Me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?” – John 14:8-10. It is easy to be judgmental of the disciples. How could they miss it after walking with Him for three years? Then I am convicted that I have His whole book and still struggle with it. It took over 30 years for me just to pick up the book! After He got my attention it became very clear that Jesus is known as the Connector, reconnecting what got disconnected in the Garden of Eden, relationship with His Father. Through a personal, passionate relationship with Jesus, I know the Father. And the best way for my kids to get to know Jesus is through their relationship with me. It is my responsibility to make sure my kids know me and to be known as the connector for all the family, that through me they will get to know Jesus and their Heavenly Father.
Tips to Be Known:
- Practice – Spend time in prayer, worship and study of God’s word daily;
- Pray – At a minimum, pray for your wife and kids by name daily;
- Play – Participate in some fun events with your kids at church, enjoy mutual hobbies or interests together and schedule time for a father/daughter or father/son weekend retreat or extended adventure.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the blessings of family and being a dad. I accept the responsibility that goes with You sharing the moniker of “father” with me. Equip me be engaged emotionally and lead spiritually by example in family, that I may be known as the connector You expect me to be. Amen.
A faithful father is to be known as the connector to Jesus the Christ and the Heavenly Father.
