Bible Passage: “Fathers, don’t stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4 CSB)
Scripture Reading: Ephesians 6:1-4
I wouldn’t say I was a great dad.
Looking back, I can see all kinds of mistakes that I made. I wish I had been more patient with my kids and more understanding of what they were going through.
One thing that’s become clearer over the years, though, is how much being a dad matters.
It’s not about being a perfect dad—none of us are—but it’s about being a dad who tries, who owns his mistakes, and who keeps coming back even when it’s really hard.
I recently took my daughter out for dinner. She was a little worried about what I wanted to say. I think she thought that I must be dying or had some terrible news to share.
I didn’t. I just looked into her eyes and reminded her that I loved her and that I was sorry for some of the mistakes that I made when she was growing up. She forgave me, and I could tell it meant a lot to her. It meant a lot to me as well. It’s a night I won’t soon forget.
If you are a dad, one of the greatest legacies you will leave is your kids. You don’t need to be a perfect dad. You just need to do your best to love your kids, and apologize when you blow it. Play with them. Laugh with them. Tell them God is good, and keep loving them, and if God allows you, love their kids one day too.
You have no idea the impact that you’re having on your children. It’s an influence that will affect not only them but future generations, too.
Loving our kids is one of the best ways to leave a lasting legacy that will endure for generations to come.
Prayer: Lord, help me to love my kids well and to apologize when I get it wrong. Amen.
Reflection: If you have children, how can you invest in them today? If you don’t, where can you invest in the next generation in some way today?
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