TDA

If you are a man who has a son, congratulations. You have something that should not be wasted. You have in your possession a great opportunity - something to invest that will pay dividends beyond the scope of any other investment. You have riches that will exceed your time here on earth. If you do not waste it. You have a son… that makes you a father. You now have the opportunity to be a FATHER… what an amazing piece of raw material in your possession in which to forge an eternity with, for God. 

How does one invest into that eternity - that legacy?

I think there are 3 things we see in scripture.

Provide - Provide for them. Their body, soul and spirit. live, walk, talk, act, exemplify a man who provides for his kids. It is not enough to just provide food, water and a roof over their head. You must provide for them emotionally, mentally, socially.. be and live the example.   Pour into them in all aspects of who they are as humans and spiritual beings. Do you provide hugs, kisses, encouragement, verbal affection, I love YOU’s and the like? If not then might I be so bold as to say you suck as a provider. You are not taking your investment into the future very seriously. 

 

Protect - Maybe you are not the toughest dad on the block… thats fine. but you do have to protect your legacy - that is your children… is your house safe? Oh yes, I have a gun in my bedroom… thats not what I mean.

Will they find porn in your house, on your phone, will they hear you yell at your wife or treat her with the cold shoulder? Will they see a dusty bible? Will they know and see that you are involved in Church life? Will they hear you gossip and bad mouth others or the pastor or their friends…. these things make or break a safe protective home. Are your kids safe to share their fears, their dreams, their hopes and questions? You may have a house surrounded by a mote, guns galore and you may be a blackbelt in Karate - but if your kid doesn’t  feel safe and protected emotionally… You failed.

 

 

Preview - show them what a Godly father looks like. Here is a tough question if you are willing to answer it gut wrenchingly honest… Would you desire your kids to have the same intimacy with Jesus as you do? Would you be happy if they had the same faith in God? the same prayer life? New the bible as well as you did? 

Do you pray before meals? Do they see you pray for direction with problems, opportunities or for the world. Do they see you share the gospel, love those who hate you, give sacrificially? If I asked your kids, help me write a movie script about how Godly your dad is… would they be able to come up with any stories… or would it be one of those movies that starts out with “partially based on a true events”… meaning- there is a whole lot of filler going on in here? But my dad does call himself a Christian… so we’ll just fill in the blanks.

 

You are blessed to be a Dad, you have an incredible investment opportunity… but you gotta provide, protect and preview…