Leaving the corporate world, aware that his priorities had been focused on the job/career, status and financial provision, he sought change for the sake of his family. He did not know what that change might look like but he did know the new priorities must start with finding a church he and his family could engage in, joining a small group of men that would hold him accountable in a closer walk with Christ and learning more about his role as a dad.
This Father’s Day, I want to give a shout out to Dr. Ken Canfield. Twenty-two years ago, I met Ken and he inspired me to jump on the fathering learning curve! I read his books – “Heart of a Father” and “Seven Secrets of Effective Fathers”, completed all his studies conducted by he and his training coordinator, Ron Nichols. I delved in to scripture that was always incorporated in the studies and slowly, the importance of emulating the Father’s model for fathering began to sink in. Faithful Fathering exists today because of the investment Ken initiated in me 22-years ago. Thank you, Ken for being a key father-figure in my life.
“Honor your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” – Ephesians 6:2-3. While this command speaks to honoring your earthly father and mother, if you are like me, there are a number of men that have stepped up as father-figures at various stages of your life. They helped us grow on this journey called manhood, to become the man, husband and father God calls us to be, that our families need. Honor your father and other father-figures today by committing to grow as a father. Take the first step by completing the Dads Becoming Heroes study.
Honor III tips leading up to Father’s Day:
- Send a Father’s Day card or note to a father-figure in your life;
- Honor your father by committing to grow in your walk as a father;
- Initiate an Honor Your Father 3-point Challenge in your church.
- Visit Honor Your Father today for more ways to honor your father;
Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for being my Heavenly Father. I know my earthly dad did the best he could do in the shoes he was walking in. I accept responsibility to understand the influence he had on me and to seek other men that are able to equip me to grow in my walk with You. Equip all fathers and spiritual fathers with a keen understanding of the power a father has – the sins of a father go out to the third and fourth generation while the love of the father goes out a thousand generations (Exodus 20:5-6). I pray that a thousand generations of love will flow from the intentionality men show today to become the fathers You call us to be, the fathers the next generation needs. Amen.
A faithful father commits to growing in his role as husband and father.
