I am a dad. I want the best for my children and my grandchildren and all the generations to come. And as I come up to Fathers Day next week, it is my heart to write on 5 things that I think are important to dads. As I listen to my grandchildren pray for their “dad” to return to their life, I cry inside. I hurt for them. So, if as a dad, I can stop one child from going through that, then I feel it is all worth it.

Nothing says family, like father, mother and children.

In an age where too many children are being brought up without two parents, I suppose I could go “off” on the reasons. The lack of commitment, character, the intervention by the government and more. You can tell that the idea of children being brought up with out two parents does not just irritate me, it truly makes me mad. Because at the heart of it, it is the children lose. Oh, I get that there are circumstances the connote the need for resources, but mostly we are looking at a single parent generation and children who are coming up through it “lop sided”. Why? The best single dad or mom can not play out “both sides” of the parenting thought process. Men are not wired like women and vice versa.

It was never intended that the child would be brought up without both. And don’t bother getting upset with me…it won’t work!

And that brings me to this for the dads.

Love and respect your wife!

The way a husband treats his wife goes a long ways in the life of a child. A father who disrespects and dishonors his wife is showing a son the path of continued dishonor towards the women in his life, including his mom and sisters. And the daughter of a man like this. She will most likely begin to go through multiple difficulties until she possibly meets a man of honor or Jesus Himself!

Both male and female children will most likely struggle with relationships, especially romantic ones. Is that your desire for your children?

So what does a dad do? I could give you a list but Paul says it best. “Husbands, continue loving your wives . . . Let each one of you individually so love his wife as he does himself.”—Ephesians 5:25, 33

One group of experts on child development explains: “One of the best things a father can do for his children is to respect their mother. . . . A father and mother who respect each other and let their children know it provide a secure environment for them.”—The Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children.

A noted sociologist, Dr. David Popenoe, is one of the pioneers of the relatively young field of research into fathers and fatherhood. “Fathers are far more than just ‘second adults’ in the home,” he says. “Involved fathers bring positive benefits to their children that no other person is as likely to bring.” Fathers have a direct impact on the well-being of their children.

There is nothing macho about disrespect or abuse. I have seen Jesus change more men in my years than I can count. Perhaps, just maybe, He has room for one more…