The Miracle of Fatherhood

Something special is happening all around us if we take the time to pause, soak in the

moment, and with great intent, reflect on what is happening. It is the miracle of life.

Specifically, it is the miracle of your child’s life. If you aren’t careful, this miracle will pass

you by and you’ll never get it back. It is with this in mind that I created this small

devotion for Father’s. My prayer for you is that you would honor this Godly role over

your life and commit to being embodying what a great Father should be.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they

are old they will not turn from it." Fathers are initiators. Before we send out children off

on the way they should go, we show them the way they should go. We expose them to

wonderful life-giving things that are all around us. Such as, the beauty of the ocean, the

wonder of a hike up the nearby mountain, or the excitement of the neighborhood park.

Big or small, every experience that you give to your child is a result of you initiating it for

them. Cherish these moments! The day will come when they will want to self initiate and

will prefer to find their way, over having you point it out for them.

Paul writes in Ephesians 6:4, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring

them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Fathers teach our children their

boundaries. As we initiate our children to embrace the world that was created for them,

we must also teach them the boundaries of it. As early as the Garden of Eden there is

an example of a world that has boundaries. These are meant for our good; for our

flourishing. Because even too much of a good thing is a bad thing, even if the idea of

cake everyday sounds appealing. Boundaries teach us that when we reach our end,

God has no end. Boundaries show us that it is OK to have limits and that the limitless

God will leave nothing unfinished.

The Bible also teaches us that, "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who

fathers a wise son rejoices in him." (Proverbs 23:24) Fathers celebrate their children.

As a father guides their children to succeed in this world, they celebrate every

milestone, every win, and they come to the side of their children when they are in

trouble. Winning and learning is a part of life. As much as we want our children to live

mistake free lives, that is an unrealistic expectation. We guide them and we celebrate

them. When they make a mistake, we come alongside them to ensure that they learn

from these moments and get better. These are the moments that bring great joy to a

father!

Finally, Father’s must embrace this instruction, "As a father has compassion on his

children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him." (Psalm 103:13) Fathers

teach their children to fear the Lord. There are many things that your children will

learn from school or from their peers. That is OK. That is the miracle of life. But fathers

must not delegate the teaching of their fatih to anyone else. Fathers must instill in their

children the fear of the Lord. This is done with love, intention, and most importantly,

through a Godly example. Our faith is ‘caught’ more than it is ‘taught’. Our lives and our

words are shaping our children to know God and to love God. Teach your children with

great joy and share with them the story of your faith.

Initiate, set the boundaries, celebrate your children, and teach them to know God.

These four actions for Fathers empower us to lead our children well, they ensure that

we are present with them, and they will allow us to witness the miracle that is their life.

The joy in fatherhood is to look at who our children are becoming knowing that God

allowed us to have a hand in that. There will undoubtedly be times when the days are

long, but remember that the years are short. Before you know it, there will be no more

space in their lives to receive your instruction. They may leave the house for college, or

make a decision to leave for other reasons. When that day comes, Father, hold your

head up high knowing that you did everything God’s word expected of you as a Father.

You rose to the occasion. You didn’t retreat in isolation. You stepped into your role as

their Father.