The assignment for the next study session was for each dad to ask their daughter for a date. The goals were: to have one-on-one dad/daughter time; to practice listening skills we had discussed; and work to engage emotionally to a new level of relationship. One dad came up to me and said he would not be doing the assignment. He went on to explain how his 15-year old daughter was always either with her friends or talking to them on her phone. Their relationship the past year had been pretty much limited to, “Hi” whenever they passed each other. They typically did not even eat dinner together as a family. After some discussion, the dad agreed to at least ask his daughter out for a date.
The next week’s study started off with testimonies of how the dad/daughter dates had gone. The dad that had not intended to do the assignment stood up and said he wanted to be first. He opened by giving the class a summary of our discussion the previous week and then said, “Not only did my daughter want to go out with me, she actually talked to me and we had a great time! I got updated on happenings in her life I had let drift by and we reconnected relationally. It was so good that we agreed to schedule ‘dates’ at least once a month.” His testimony was a reminder to us all that a dad is the most important man in his daughter’s life. He continued to date his daughter and they built a strong relationship. That relationship proved foundational years later as his daughter navigated through a valley of life.
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 His disciples would face long before 150 cable channels, i-phones, texting, Wi-Fi and social media. As His disciple in family, a dad must be focused on the Counselor in order to eliminate distractions, especially at the dinner table, and create opportunities for one-on-one time with his wife and children.
Prayer guide: Lord, thank You for the many gifts and blessings in my life, may I never take them for granted. Thank You for the opportunity to reflect Your triune nature as a faithful father – to be present physically, engaged emotionally and lead spiritually. Strengthen me to accept responsibility for the opportunity You offer as I pledge to be a faithful father – to be the father You expect me to be, the father my family needs. Amen.
A faithful father works to be engaged emotionally with his wife and kids.
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