Reflections for Father's DaySample

Spiritual Abandonment

How would you like a God who gave you life, and then said, “Good-bye — you’re now on your own!” That’s what is happening in some families — not with God, but with fathers who abandon their marriages and families spiritually.

A father’s leadership, example, provision, protection, and discipline are irreplaceable in God’s plan for raising children.

It is no mere coincidence that God most often refers to himself as ‘father’, and each of those who know him as his children.

The greatest consequence of the father who spiritually abandons a family is spiritual loss. This is because young children — particularly young boys — identify and relate their sense of God to their fathers. Most fathers do not appreciate this, and so have no sense of the permanent damage or eternal loss often caused by the sin of family abandonment which sets the worst possible example for kids, who go on to repeat the example in their own lives.

Have you spiritually abandoned your family?

Prayer

Father, I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all, I accept all. Let only your will be done in me as a parent, as a believer. Amen.