Why a Father Matters

Fathers aren't celebrated today like mothers are. Rarely will you turn on the TV and see a strong, loving father. Instead, the media and Hollywood often depict fathers as absent, or if they are around, as stupid, wimpy deadbeats whose children are better off without them. While a truly present father who loves his wife and children, provides for them, and spends quality time with them is a rarity, he does exist. 

My own grandfathers, father, and husband are all examples of strong, loving fathers who have blessed their wives and children beyond measure. They have taken seriously their God-given roles and led their children to the Lord, maintained order by being the head, worked hard to feed their families, and provided discipline when necessary and love even more often.

 

In celebration of of these men and the countless other Godly fathers in the world, here are some reasons why I think a father truly matters.

A father matters because...

there's no one else who twirls his little girl like Daddy. 

only a Daddy knows how to let go of the little things like unruly hair and mismatched clothes.

 there's no one goofier and more fun than Daddy. 

  only a Daddy will wrestle with his children, giving them the physical touch and attention they crave.

 

only a Daddy will slip his child an extra dollar or two just because.

  it's Daddy's voice cheering from the sidelines that gives his child the courage and strength to endure.

there's just something special about going on a date with your Daddy. 

  
only a Daddy will take the time to teach his children how to do"manly" things like fix a flat tire, shoot a gun, or bait a hook.

a Daddy always has time to play, tickle, toss, and love on his children.

  
only a Daddy will encourage his children to climb higher and run farther and faster. 

 

sometimes only a Daddy's arms will do.

 

only a Daddy will push his children to be bold and take risks. 

who else will teach his sons how to respect women and his daughters how they should expect to be treated?

 

he teaches, trains, and disciplines his children out of love.

his example leads his sons and daughters to Christ.
   

  
he is the closest earthly example we have to our heavenly Father.

"Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you..."

Deuteronomy 5:16

I have been blessed with a generous and loving father who has always pushed me to be the very best at all I do. The Lord has also blessed me with a gentle and fun-loving husband who adores his girls and who teaches me daily how to relax and enjoy life in this very moment. I continually thank God for my Daddy and my children's Daddy.

If you have been blessed with a Christian father or a husband who is a Godly father, let him know today why he matters to you.

Blessings to you and your families this Father's Day,

 

Keri

 

For comments or questions, contact me at: growinginhisglory@gmail.com

Find Growing in His Glory on Facebook.

I would love to see more of you!  If you are encouraged by what you read here and would like to have posts from Growing in His Glory delivered to your inbox daily, simply click here.  Or you can subscribe in a reader of your choice in the right sidebar.

 

This post is linked to: The Better Mom Mondays, Teach Me Tuesdays, Time-Warp Wife Titus 2Days, Women Living Well Wednesdays, Raising Homemakers Wednesdays, Raising Mighty Arrows Proverbs 31 Thursdays

The Beauty of Boundaries: God's Design for His Children

Ian Britton

Recently, I was talking to a friend who has a young child. She was expressing to me the challenges she has found in raising her son. As I listened, she described how she allows him "the freedom" to roam all over the house unrestricted, how she doesn't like disciplining him even though she knows he probably needs it, and how he doesn't have a set bedtime. I thought about the beauty of boundaries. 

Sure, raising children to be "free range" may be the latest trend, but is it really good for the child? As parents, we want to do what's best for our children. Usually, though, that means laying down some basic rules and disciplining our children when they break those rules. Most children would never institute rules for themselves and certainly far fewer would actually discipline themselves. Rather, rules and discipline are the responsibility of parents who love their children and desire their safety, both physical and spiritual.

This afternoon, in the still and quiet of the house, I was reading Psalm 119 when I came to these two verses: 

"I will walk about in freedom,

for I have sought out your precepts."

Psalm 119:45

"I remember your ancient laws, O Lord,

and I find comfort in them."

Psalm 119:52

We don't typically think of "precepts" as providing "freedom" or "laws" as a source of "comfort." Rather, most people today perceive rules as restricting and confining, something made to be broken. Yet, true freedom can only be found in obedience to God's commands. When we follow God's way and seek forgiveness when we stray, we are freed to be who God wants us to be and we are saved from the powerful grip of sin.

Children without rules and discipline will suffer. 

 Eternally.

"Do not withhold discipline from a child;

if you punish him with the rod, he will not die.

Punish him with the rod

and save his soul from death."

Proverbs 23:13-14

What are your feelings about boundaries when it comes to raising your children?  Do you see them as restricting or freeing?