Today is Father’s Day, the day we honor our fathers all over the United States. Many dads will open boxes of ties, boxes of candies, fashionable memorabilia of their favorite sports teams, golf balls, and homemade cards with crayons, and frames made with macaroni. No matter your gift, great or small, I know you will cherish it because it was given by your child who loves you more than they can express. You are their whole world right now. They look up to you and even idolize you because YOU ARE DAD!
The word Father or Dad may mean different things to different people depending on their experience with their father. The word father may bring good memories and tears of joy or bad memories with tears sadness. Whatever the case, remember you are a dad now and you get a chance to do it better than the generation before you. You can become better or bitter, it’s your choice.
Today we will look at the characteristics of a good father through an acronym of the word F A T H E R.
F is for Foundation
The father is the one who establishes a foundation for the home. A strong and sturdy foundation is required when building a strong, healthy family. A foundation is the lowest load-bearing part of a building. Without a strong foundation, a building will lean, crack, or completely collapse.
God created fathers to be able to bear the load of the family and to be a support and stabilizing factor in each family. God created men to be the leaders of their families and to have a strong influence on their children’s lives.
God set up the family structure from creation.
Genesis 2:24 (KJV) 24 Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.
Genesis 1:27-28a (KJV) 27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. 28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it;….
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A is for Affirming
Children look to their fathers for affirmation or affirming words of encouragement and acceptance. Children always want to please even from the time they are toddlers.
If you give them the approval they are looking for, they will be so happy, but a child that is constantly ignored when he’s looking for approval will eventually go somewhere else to get it.
Colossians 3:21 (NIV) 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21(MSG) 21 Parents, don’t come down too hard on your children or you’ll crush their spirits.
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T is for Tender
Tender means showing gentleness, concern or sympathy, caring, kindhearted, softhearted.
Fathers, be tender with your families. You are setting an example as to how to treat others. Your sons will learn how to treat or mistreat a woman and a wife. Your daughters will learn how a man should treat a woman. If you grow up in an abusive home the statistical probability you will marry an abuser is very high.
Boys learn from their father that it’s okay for a man to humble himself and admit when he’s wrong and apologize. Boys learn that it’s okay for a man to cry; it’s not a weakness but shows strength and security in their masculinity.
Colossians 3:12(NLT)12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
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H is for Handy
Fathers are handy. Many dads are considered to be a “Jack-of-all-trades.” (Well, by their kids at least!)
You might not actually be a Jack-of-all-trades, but you can pass on what you do know and teach your kids some very need life skills.
Dads can pass along their expertise in almost any area- playing an instrument, mechanics, welding, singing, a love for God and His word. The list could go on and on. Dads have so much they can instill in their children’s lives.
Exodus 36:1-2 (NKJV)“And Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whom the Lord has put wisdom and understanding, to know how to do all manner of work for the service of the sanctuary, shall do according to all that the Lord has commanded.”2 Then Moses called Bezalel and Aholiab, and every gifted artisan in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, every one whose heart was stirred, to come and do the work.
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E is for Example
Fathers, you set the example in your home of what it means to be a godly man. Your children will look to you and follow your example, whether it be good or bad. Our actions speak way louder than our words.
Be the example when issues arise remembering that a soft answer turns away wrath, but angry words stir up strife.
Be the example in your worship unto the Lord. Let your children see you worship. Let them see you read the Bible. Let them see you lift up your hands. Let them hear you pray.
Be the example of diligence and faithfulness by working and providing for your family. Be the example in money management and budgeting.
Be the example of self-control, patience, tolerance, longsuffering, and discipline.
Proverbs 22:6(NKJV)6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Proverbs 29:15(NKJV)15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom, But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
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R is for Reliable
Fathers, I want to encourage you to be reliable. Be a man of your word, especially where your children are a concern. If you give your word to your children, keep it!
The Bible says, “4 In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But He honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;“(Psalm 15:4 NKJV)
God will honor a man who keeps his word!
Luke 16:10 (NKJV) He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
To be reliable is to be faithful and trustworthy. Two qualities which can be rare these days. Two qualities we must instill in our children.
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OUR GOOD FATHER!
The Parable of the Lost Son
Luke 15:11-32 (NKJV)11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my Father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’
20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put iton him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’
28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’
31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”
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