If you missed Adaryll's blog entry about Fatherhood Stories, make sure you go back and read it.

If I’m a good dad (my wife says I am and I actually believe her most days), it’s because I had a great dad. Incidentally my dad is a great dad in spite of the fact he had no dad. Actually, he had five different “dads” before he graduated high school.

To be a great dad my dad had to figure it out on his own. When I reflect on my dad’s life and how he raised my brother and me to love our mom, our current wives and the Lord with all of our hearts, I’m very impressed. He didn’t have a man in his life to tell him he loved him, he was proud of him and that he needed to get to bed on time because he had a big day tomorrow.He never had a grown man sit down at the breakfast table with him, Bible open, giving him encouragement and direction from Heaven for the day. My dad needed that and never received it.

However, my dad changed the direction of multiple generations because he ended up giving his life over to a Heavenly Father. I’ve asked my dad, “Not having a dad yourself, how did you know what to do as a dad?” His reply? “I just followed Jesus through scripture and prayer.” It almost sounds too simple, but I believe it’s true with all my heart because I had a front row seat.

As I reflect back on how my dad’s relationship with his Heavenly Dad shaped me I have a few clear thoughts that are currently shaping the kind of dad I am:

• Love God with everything you have.
• Read your bible and pray every day. (And pray like God actually exists.)
• Pray with and for your wife and kids every day. (Especially at bed time.)
• Read your kids books. My dad read me books; my favorite was a book about character.
• Don’t watch movies, read books or listen to comedians you wouldn’t want your kids to – at any age.
• Do the right thing. When you don’t, apologize to whomever you wronged. He wasn’t perfect...never pretended to be, but was always accountable for his actions. (I’ll never ever forget the times my dad came and apologized to me, even as a little kid.)
• Sacrifice for your family. My dad made very little money but always provided a way for me and my brother to what we wanted to in church, school and sports.
• Stay with your wife. Even though his dad left I never got a hint that my dad would ever leave my mom; he loved her, had eyes only for her and served her like no man I’ve ever seen.

Wherever you are on your dad-hood journey please know that your wife and kids need you and you have a Dad in Heaven that loves you. He is committed to your success as a dad and will provide everything you need.

I’d encourage you to take a couple minutes right now and reflect on your dad's story. Write down a list of things you had (or didn’t) have in a dad and then tell someone close this week how that is shaping you. Start by telling all this to your Heavenly Dad.  And remember, we'd love to hear your stories.

Nathan Head, Age Level Pastor