“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” Billy Graham

It’s only one week until Father’s Day. I agree with Billy Graham on this subject. Fathers are often thought of as an extension of mom, the guy who deals out rules and regulations, the one who stifles their child’s adventures. They have very little value today in the public realm, but when you consider that God is our heavenly Father, you have to admit that we should honor dads not just one day a year, but every single one of them. So, with that in mind, I will be spending the next few days talking about the fathers that influenced my life. They were all average men, with strong work ethics. They cared about their families and set examples for their children. They didn’t accomplish great notoriety or fame, but they were exceptional men who believed they were doing the best for their children. Even when they made mistakes, they were doing what was best.

So, take a walk with me this week as I tell their stories. I would be negligent if I didn’t mention the Father of all fathers. God has set a high bar for men to follow. His expectations for those who take on this position of merit are of the most importance. So, we better listen to what He has to say about parenting. God is our original Father, since He created all of mankind. Next in line was the leader of the family. Whether good or bad, we are lacking a great deal. The fact that mankind is not God shows us that we have a lot to live up to in this life, but if we follow His example, it will be more than worthwhile. Anyone can be a father, but it takes a special kind of man to be one we can truly respect.

Thank you, Father God, for leading, guiding, teaching, listening, helping and so much more. You created each life with high expectations. As we honor fathers this week, remind of us of you – the perfect example of what it takes to be a dad and the gifts we receive from them. Your only Son was perfection. Because of your relationship, you were willing to give Him up as the ransom for all sin. You did that for every human being – the perfect gift.