Helping Fathers Rise to Today’s Challenges

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Ephesians 6:4 (NLT)

JT is what you could call a snapback dad.

Not only does he like to wear his snapback hat backwards most days, he also has this way of snapping back from adversity. He and his wife have been hit with a lot of stuff over the last couple of years and JT has risen to the occasion big time. He has stayed out front, patiently and courageously leading his wife and kids through one test after another.

JT’s a snapback dad. We need more dads like him.

Between now and Father’s Day at our church, we’re going to be reaching out to all the fathers in the mix. Rather than just taking one day on Father’s Day Sunday to focus on them and their special role, we’re going to have the conversation on several Sundays leading up to Father’s Day.

Why would we do that?

Because frankly, there’s a lot riding on fathers and how they respond to this moment in time. Our families, our communities, our churches, and our nation seriously need all dads to lower their shoulders and lean into their God-given role. The influence God has given them cannot be over-stated and we want to help them steward that influence well.

Unlike our culture, we’re not going to beat fathers up for their failures and inadequacies. Instead, we’re going to lift them up and help them rise to the challenges of being a godly man in today’s world.

One of the telltale signs of the health of any society is the vibe between fathers and their children. In Malachi 4, the Old Testament closes out by looking forward to a better day someday when a prophet-type person would emerge to prepare everyone for the arrival of the King. Something special would happen as a result of his ministry:

And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers…

Malachi 4:6

What do you think, do dads today have the hearts of their children? Do their kids believe in the depth of their souls that their dads love them unconditionally and take delight in them for who they are? Maybe some, but probably not most. Do children today have the hearts of their dad’s? In other words, do dads feel admired and respected by their children? Maybe some, but probably not most.

For this we can pray and anticipate.

In the meantime, calling all snapback dads.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.