Encouraging Dad

Dads are vitally important. The Bible says that fathers are the first symbol a child has of God. Dr. Kenneth Canfield, founder and President of the “National Center for Fathering,” wrote that when dads attend church regularly and take their family; children grow up to attend church 75% of the time. Conversely, he noted, when dads stay at home and moms take the children, only about 15% attend church regularly.  
But, what does dad need? Here are my thoughts:
1.  A man needs a family to respect and honor him. “ Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband…honor your father and mother.” (Ephesians 5:33; 6:2)
Every little boy wants to please his mom and show her what a “man” he has become. As he grows up, he, in turn, needs admiration from his wife and children. A wife who does not honor her husband takes away his feelings of manhood. According to my studies, a wife can do this by:

• Resisting his decisions in her heart 
• Resisting his physical affection 
• Becoming his conscience 
• Ridiculing him in public 

2.  A man needs a family that will follow his leadership. (Ephesians 5:22 and 6:1)

• Not following his leadership tells him that he is not trusted, or is incapable of making good decisions. 

3.  A man needs a family to be grateful to him. “It is the crowning of every man to be appreciated.” Williams James, Philosopher  
No parent is perfect – we all mess up. We can show gratitude by:

• Saying thank you 
• Honoring them on special days 
• Listening to them 
• Forgiving them 

4.  A man needs children of good behavior. “Behold, children are a gift of the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:3, 4)

• Children honor their fathers by showing respect and loyalty. 
• Children honor their father by demonstrating good behavior. Few things cut at the heart of parents more than seeing their children participate in destructive behavior. 
• Children may dishonor their parents by rebellious behavior. 1 Samuel 15:23 teaches, “For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and insubordination is as iniquity and idolatry.”  

 
5.  A Christian man needs to see his children receive and follow Christ (2 John 4). Every Christian man wants to know he will one day meet his children in heaven.
We all possess shortcomings. We can complain about our dad’s faults, or we can rejoice in the positive things about him. Every man has a deep need to be appreciated and honored.
What do you think?