Fathers Who Are Perfectly Imperfect

Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12 When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble.  13 Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life.

Proverbs 4:10-13 (NIV)

There is only one perfect Father, and it’s not any of us, but that doesn’t give anyone license to stop trying. We are all coming from past experiences that could’ve been better. Our bet is your current parent-child relationship could use a little improvement too. And, for those fortunate men who had a pretty great dad growing up and are getting ready to glow with the haze of doing a bang-up job yourself, let’s consider even the most remote possibility that there is room to grow. 

Let’s commit to taking off the mask, hiding whatever it is that’s hurting you. Is it an addiction, obsession, broken relationships, lost custody, behind on child support, struggling with another romantic relationship that’s unhealthy for you and your child, or maybe it’s just general pain, agony, or uncertain depression? Does this stuff affect the connection with your kid? Sure, it does, but it doesn’t mean it has to control or define that relationship. 

Everybody has messed up, but our past is not there to define us but to remind us of where we’ve been, so we’ll know where we need to go. Drop the unrealistic fantasy of super dad and embrace the perfection of being perfectly imperfect. 

Dad Action:

What area of imperfection have you surrendered to God for help in improving?