Roll call – A consistent happening every first day of school. Even if the teacher mispronounced your name, the proper response was, “Present.” If you responded with a shy, “Here”, or stayed silent due to the humiliating pronunciation of your name, you got moved to the front of the class. Not cool and certainly not a good start to the school year!

Are you present? This is a ‘roll call’ for all dads – Are you present and accounted for in the lives of your children? “Yes sir!” is the proper response. If you can answer, “Yes” to the following questions, you get an ATTADAD! from me.

• Have you made the school’s open house and met your children’s teachers?
• Do you know your child’s class schedule and most challenging subjects?
• Have you met as a family to discuss rules for this school year?

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20. Jesus was consistently present in His disciples’ lives, pouring His heart into them. Now as they continue His ministry, they know He will be present with them always. The primary role of a father is to make disciples of his family. That requires a consistent presence in the lives of our children. The charge is to show up for events, lead the way to church and lead spiritual discussions in family between Sundays. Then upon the final ‘roll call’, you can boldly say, “Yes Sir! I was present and accounted for in raising the children You blessed me with.” And He will say, “Well done good and faithful servant.”

Dads are to be intentional in prioritizing their physical presence. This does not mean that you will never miss an event or that you must feel guilt-ridden if you do. It simply means you have given it your best effort and communicated any conflicts ahead of time.
Tips include:

• Review the school’s semester calendar for key activities or events across the year;
• Review any extra-curricular events that may not be on the school calendar;
• Log the dates onto whatever calendar system you and your family use;
• Check for potential conflicts with work schedule, travel or other commitments;
• Be willing to sacrifice personal hobbies or interests;

Prayer guide: Thank You Lord for being present in my life. Thank You for sending Your Son physically to walk this earth and make disciples that would carry His work forward. My presence in family has been hit and miss over the last several years. I have been selfish. Forgive me. I accept responsibility from this point on to prioritize my physical presence and be there for my kids be it an event or doing homework together. It is an honor to be Your representative in family. Grant me discipline to be present and accounted for in raising the children You have blessed me with. Amen.

A faithful father is present and accounted for in raising a Godly generation.