Fathers day is right around the corner so it is time to celebrate DADS! Great dads make a huge positive impact on their children’s social, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual well being. How can a man be a great dad? Well I have discovered great dads have something in common. Great dads do these 7 things:
Protect and Provide:
Great dads are protectors and providers.
A great dad is keenly aware of meeting his family’s need for security and safety, love and belonging, and of course the physiological needs like shelter and food. Even if he is not the sole provider, he is a major player in protecting and providing for his family. When kids feel safe and cared for, the bonds of love strengthen and children develop a sense of trust. That trust increases their confidence and ability to navigate the world outside of their home.
“Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it.”
Hebrews 12:9
Praise
Great dads are generous with praise.
A great dad validates his children’s character even more than their performance. When a great dad praises, his words are sincere and specific. He knows his kids will live up to the messages spoken over them. A great dad speaks life giving words to their children.
“Listen to your father, who gave you life.”
Proverbs 23:22
Pilot
Great dads are like a pilot.
A great dad is a leader, a benevolent leader. He steers the family with godly guidance, teaching, while setting appropriate boundaries for the children. He teaches his children how to grow their faith and to navigate life by including the kids in household chores, errands, and repairs. He is self controlled and models problem solving skills while spending time with his children.
“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.”
Proverbs 1:18
Participate
Great dads are actively involved in their children’s lives.
A great dad attends events his children are a part of, plays with his kids, has a playful attitude, and talks with his children. He carves out time to spend uninterrupted moments with each child. He seeks to know his children and to understand his children’s perspective while gently and respectfully sharing his point of view. He knows it is more important to listen than to lecture, to talk rather than tell, and to dialogue instead of debate.
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4
Project
Great dads project a vision for family life and for their child’s future.
A great dad casts a vision for the family. A vision that has passion and purpose. He recognizes his children’s uniqueness, their strengths and weaknesses. He corrects his children rather than criticize in order to build character. He helps them discover their God-given passions to uncover their God ordained purpose.
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”
Joshua 24:15
Prioritize
Great dads prioritize their relationships.
A great dad prioritizes his time. He knows his family’s stability depends upon his relationship with his wife. He seeks to grow his faith and to encourage faith development in his family. He knows people are more important than possessions.
“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”
Colossians 3:21
Pray
Great dads pray.
A great dad regularly prays for his children and for his wife.
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Colossians 4:2
Great dads love the Lord with all their heart, mind, soul, and body.
In 1 Timothy 3:2-4, elders and overseers are described. I adjusted this and created a prayer for great dads. Pray this prayer for the fathers in your life or if you are a dad, pray it for yourself.
Father God,
You are our perfect example of a great and perfect dad.
I pray for __________, as he seeks to be a great dad.
I pray ______________ is above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate,
self-controlled, respectable, hospitable,
able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.
I pray ____________manages his family well and sees that his children obey him,
and he does so in a manner worthy of full respect.
Amen
Let’s celebrate those great dads!
Click here for a related article if you’d like to read more:
7 Questions for a Dad (Number 6 is the most courageous)
© LoriWildenberg. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Lori Wildenberg is a licensed parent and family educator, parent coach, and co-founder of 1Corinthians13 Parenting.com. She has written 6 books including Messy Journey: How Grace and Truth Offer the Prodigal a Way Home; The Messy Life of Parenting: Powerful and Practical Ways to Strengthen Family Connections; and her most recent book, Messy Hope: Help Your Child Overcome Anxiety, Depression, or Suicidal Ideation. Contact Lori for your next event or for parent consulting or parent training courses. Lori can also be found mentoring over at the MOMS Together Group on Facebook.
