Mine was chaotic as the kids excitedly waited for all to get up so they could give me their presents and cards.
For a nine- and 10-year-old their gift selection makes you laugh, but how can you not love their intent.
Maybe you called your dad or received calls from kids. You may have gathered with family members.
However, for some, Father’s Day can bring up painful memories.
Thoughts of broken relationships, promises, memories of hurts and loss of hope. Maybe you never knew your father.
Unfortunately, fatherhood doesn’t have a great track record.
In the United States one in four children are raised in a home without a dad, many more have dads who are not invested in their children like they could.
This epidemic of fatherlessness in our society has left huge consequences and has led to increased risks of negative outcomes for children, including drugs, alcohol, poverty and behavioural issues.
Let’s be careful not to pick on men; the fact is, broken people become broken parents and often the cycle continues generationally.
What advice can we give fathers and fathers-to-be today?
First and foremost, discover your identity as made in the image of God.
This brings purpose and dignity. We can then look in the mirror and love who we see.
From there be men of character and conviction.
Our kids need to see not a perfect dad, but a dad who is real, transparent and genuine.
If you are wrong, admit it, if sorry, say it, be consistent in what you say and do.
Our children are always ‘reading’ us.
They are watching our every move and will model what we do. What a scary thought!
Children will learn how to treat the opposite sex by watching how we do this.
For boys this is particularly important, if they see their dads respectfully treating other women they will grow up and want to do likewise.
Boys also need to control their strength and aggression. This is best learned by watching those closest to them.
For dads to wrestle and play in a controlled manner with their boys teaches them how to maintain a healthy balance of testosterone.
The time we give to our kids is the best gift.
We can all be time-poor, but to make time for our kids to kick the footy, listen to them read, play games, go camping etc builds so powerfully into their ‘love-tank’.
One of my boys after doing something special with him will come up and give me the biggest hug.
So, dads, love being a dad and give it your best, you are irreplaceable.
Pastor David Lloyd
Community Church Kyabram
10°C