Probably one of the greatest compliments our children can pay us men is when they announce, “I want to be like you, Dad!” Wow, our hearts swell with pride and almost burst with joy as we take in this outstanding compliment.
We know as Dads that we are not worthy of the compliment but it still feels really good – right? So enjoy it! Pack it in, tuck it away, live worthy of the compliment!
But what about a Dad who is really worthy? What about a Dad who never fails? What about a Dad who always loves, who always provides, who always protects? What about a Dad who is always there for his children?
Now that Dad deserves the kind of allegiance that proclaims, “I want to be like you, Dad!” Let’s be honest with ourselves men, there is only one Dad who deserves such praise and honor. He is God, our Heavenly Father. Now this Dad we will follow.
When we declare him to be Lord, we pledge an allegiance that makes up truly disciples. We are in effect saying, “I want to be like you, Dad! Whatever you do, I want to do too!”
God has in effect said, “don’t mess with my kids – these are my boys and my girls. You mess with them – you mess with me. I will take care of these children because they are mine.”
Follow me please in a bit of simple logic. If God is a “Father to the Fatherless”, and if I want to be like my Dad, Father God, then I am also to be a ________________________. Yep, you did it! A “Father to the fatherless” is the correct answer.
You see if we truly want to be a disciple – a follower of Christ, and Christ did all He saw His Father doing, then we are to be Dad to those without Dad’s. They become our kids as well and we become the hands and feet of God.
Ouch! I didn’t say this was going to be an easy post! My hope is it stops us in our tracks of denial of responsibility.
What is your Heavenly Father asking of you?
If you have never done so will you do something for a Fatherless child? Could you financially support those intending to adopt? Will you pray? Can you make room for one more child? One more child who needs a Dad….will you be a Father to one more Fatherless child? Go ahead announce to the world, “I want to be just like you, Dad!” Go ahead, make your Dad proud!
Semper Fi men,
Dwight
