Today is Father’s Day, a day in which we reflect on our fathers. It took me 43 years join the ranks of fatherhood but the years since have been so valuable that I can’t truly express it in words. Sharing each day with my son is priceless. The other day while waiting for my beautiful wife, me and my son were sharing a snack at a café. I found myself reflecting on the times that we have spent together and I just smiled. Of course he looked at me crazy, not knowing what I was thinking. To me these moments are so precious that I encourage each of you to enjoy them as I am.
In my study of parenting I have come to rely on certain scriptures for advice. Psalm 103-13 says, “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.“ The hard times for me is when my son is sick or injured. Having compassion for him comes easy but it hurts to see him that way. I would take the pain or sickness for him in a minute but I realize that life is going to give him some challenges that he must go through. I just have to be compassionate as he endures these times.
Proverbs 10:9 says “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” This scripture is how I live my life because I realized early on that I am an open book for my son to read. He looks at me and learns how a man is to behave. One day when my son was about two years old and my wife was out of town I was getting ready for bed. As usual I was on my knees praying. When I finished I looked up and across from me was my son, on his knees praying. I asked him what he was doing and he said, “I was praying too!” He was doing what he saw his daddy doing. That was a great moment for me.
The last scripture is paramount in our home. Ephesians 6:4 tells us, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” We must train our children to know the Lord. The best training we can provide them is to go to church and love the Lord fully and openly. How we act on a daily basis is a book for them to read and learn. Following the ways of the Lord will teach them Christian ways.
I was watching one of my favorite shows a few days ago, Criminal Minds, when I heard a quote that’s perfect for Father’s day. H. Jackson Brown said, “Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.” I’m not perfect but I plan to come as close to perfect as I can so that my son has the right instruction to live his life.
Happy Father’s day to all the fathers out there!


