The Important Influence of Our Father!

June 15, 2025

I am convinced that one of the greatest needs in both our churches and our country is for men to step up and fulfill their role as fathers. For the most part, we have done a good job of teaching men to enter the workplace and earn a living to support their families. However, for far too many men, that is the only contribution they make to their families. In the desire to "be successful", many men leave their families behind, or they work so many hours that the only thing they accomplish when they are present in the house is to become a world champion recliner-holder-downer. Men, working is an honorable thing, but it is not the main thing. Don't leave the raising of your kids to your kids' mom. Your kids need spiritual guidance. They need your spiritual example. When you are home, they need you to have your mind in the present, not on what you need to accomplish at work next week. Whether you realize it or not, you are leaving a legacy to your kids. I am not talking about a physical legacy (although that is part of it); I am talking about a legacy of being the God-fearing, God-honoring head of your household. Despite myself, quite often I find myself opening my mouth and hearing my father and grandfather come out! If we are honest with ourselves, for most of us, our fathers and grandfathers had a huge influence on the way we turned out. My dad couldn't hang a curtain rod. Neither can I. My dad was a Vanderbilt Commodore fan. So am I. My grandfather was a fisherman. He passed that along to me. They also passed along the habits of praying, reading my Bible, and being active in church. My dad and grandfather have both passed. Rarely does a day go by that I don't think of them in some way. They were a huge influence on who I am today. Fathers and grandfathers, your kids need you. Your church needs you. Your community needs you. Be the father God intends for you to be. Leave a legacy that is God-pleasing, rather than one that neglects God. It is never too late to start. Happy Father’s Day!

Be blessed and be a blessing . . . Bro. Andy