To Dads

The following was an article that was published in our local paper today, the Decatur Democrat. A woman we didn't know called him tonight thanking him for writing it and I thought it deserved others outside our community to gain from his wisdom.

Dad’s you are needed – REALLY.

The greatest commandment in Scripture is this:   “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5) Going back to verse 2, we read, “So that you, your children and their children after them may fear the LORD your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.”  

Following Deuteronomy 6:5 we read, “These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children.  Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up” (vv.6-7)

Fathers, your children need you to be involved in their lives in positive ways more so than you can even imagine.   How do I know this?  I hear it from your children.  I have been in church ministry for many years and I could share story after story of children telling me how much they wish their dads were more a part of their lives. But I am not allowed that much space in this article and so I will just share a few. 

I sat in a high school class in Michigan for pregnant teenage girls when the instructor asked the class of 20 girls how many of them had a father active in their life growing up.  None of them raised their hands.  The instructor then asked how many of them wished they had a father active in their life.  All of them raised their hands.

I have seen it in the actions of many foster children that came through our home.  Most of the time they attached themselves to me very quickly.  I soon came to realize that most of them did not have a father active in their lives and craved a father's attention.

I have seen and listened to tough teenage boys break down and cry because they wished they had a father actively involved in their lives.

I hear it from children who come from good stable homes who say,  "I wish dad was easier to talk to," or "I wish dad would do more with me."

Dads, please take to heart what this pastor has heard from your children. You are needed –REALLY.   Be active in your children’s lives.   God bless you.

Rev. Kenneth Hogg, 

Cornerstone Community Church.