Becoming The Father God Wants You To BeSample

The Right Perspective

Fatherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep going, even when putting one foot in front of the other seems a monumental task.

When your children make mistakes and/or the going gets tough, remember God never promised that your children would always obey you, make the choices that they should make, or respond to you the way that you deserve—they possess the same free will you enjoy, after all—but He does promise that your efforts will bear fruit and that your children will return to the truth you’ve taught them sooner or later.

So, keep on keeping on, and while you wait for the pay-off, remember that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. In the end, He will be glorified, or praised, as a direct result of your efforts. If you truly love and trust your Heavenly Father like a son should, this will be enough to get you through. This will bring you joy.

• Why is it so important that you not allow your children’s response to you determine the way that you choose to interact with and raise them?
• Whose opinion of your efforts matters most?
• What comfort do you find in God’s promise to use your obedience in raising your children to grow them into the people He wants them to be? How does this promise free you?
• What does it do for your resolve to parent them according to His will?

Read Romans 8:28, Proverbs 22:6, and Ephesians 1:11.