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God’s desire is that our hearts would be turned to Him as our Heavenly Father, and our human fathers. If there is going to be a heart change, Jesus is the only one who can do that.
The presence of the father in the home and the lives of their children is of great importance. It’s a very serious thing for almighty God to place in our hands a never dying soul.
It is a challenge for us today when we do not have so much time with our children during the day the way our farming families may have had. It’s important that we make time through things such as having supper together.
Our children want relationships. Social media is a huge factor in the lives of our children. Even the good can rob us of direct communication in important relationships.
We as fathers can set the tone in some of these areas. We should do our best to keep our technology from taking up valuable family time.
Where are you leading?
Genesis 18:19 “… they shall keep the way of the Lord”
God had confidence in Abraham, that he would guide His children towards the Lord.
Genesis 22:1-3 (the story of Abraham offering Isaac)
Abraham had a relationship with his son. Isaac trusted his father, just as Abraham trusted his Father.
He was leaving clear footprints for Isaac to follow.
David struggled to do that for his children, particularly Absalom. He had better success with Solomon. Perhaps he learned from his earlier failures.
For those that are not fathers:
All of us are leaving footprints for others. Where do they lead? Paul had no biological children, but he had spiritual children, such as TImothy. “Every man should have a Paul and a TImothy in his life.” (Merle Berkholder)
The difference in a life can be a biologically unrelated person taking time for someone. People need relationships. Are we willing to be channels of love and encouragement?
If you have scars from a poor home, there can be healing. And we need to extend forgiveness and grace to our parents even when they have families us.
Some fathers have faithfully served the Lord, while their children choose not to do so themselves. Parents must do what they can, but their children must ultimately make their own decisions- whether good or bad.
What footprints are we leaving? Do our children hear us praying? Do they see us serving, putting Christ and His kingdom first? Do they see us using our time and money for His work?
