Fathers, You Need to Know This
By Nathan Camp
“You’re going to be a Dad!”
I remember when my wife shouted this to me in the late spring of 1999. Her face lit up as we found out we were pregnant with our first child. Our hearts couldn’t contain the excitement as we called our parents and told them the wonderful news.
In the days that followed, my excitement built, but so did my resolve. Up to that point in my life, I had been somewhat fearful of fatherhood. While my dad and I are now almost best friends, the truth is, before the gospel came to our family, fatherhood wasn’t something I really looked up to — or pursued.
It was only after I gave my life to Jesus that I saw the call to be a father in a new light. I saw the joy, gift, and the journey it would be. I saw the pride in being a father, and in all sincerity, it brought me closer to God. I knew that in this noble endeavor, I would need His help more than ever.
As the months went by, our house began to transform, and our nursery began to take shape. We would lay hands on my wife’s growing belly and pray to God for our daughter who was on the way. What great things she would do!
Sooner than we had realized, the day came, and she arrived in this beautiful world. I remember in those first few moments as I held her tiny little hand under the heat lamp of the hospital nursery that the calling to be a father had arrived at my door, and I was overjoyed.
Throughout the years, there have been victories and challenges in this thing called fatherhood. There are days I wish I could live over and over, and days I wish I could have done better, or days I wish I could forget. But, always, on days like Father’s Day, I am struck again at the gift of my children and the great grace that God has had on my life in this realm. What a great privilege it is to be a dad!
Whether you are a new father or have grown children, we all know that on days like Father’s Day, we tend to evaluate ourselves and our fatherhood, and perhaps at times, we feel like we could have done better. It’s for that moment that I want to tell you three things leading up to this Father’s Day.
1. You are doing a good job!
Although I don’t know you personally, I have met very few fathers in all my life that were not doing their best. Men, this job is hard! It’s certainly not for the weak.
For most of you reading this blog, you are not only parenting but pastoring, a vocation that can add additional pressure and tension to the days you evaluate yourself. I want to encourage you — God knows (and your children know) that you are trying.
The good news is, there are no perfect fathers! God uses broken men to be fathers because that is the only kind of men that exist. However, as you ponder your role as a father in the coming days, if you are trying your best, then rejoice in the gift of being a father! There is a grace from the Lord for you.
2. You are choosing the right thing!
Many things call after the attention of men’s hearts, like work, hobbies, and more. Yet you, my friend, have not given over to these things, but kept them in the proper place and are learning to win at the right thing — being a dad.
You may be able to make more money, or have a lower handicap in golf, or any other numerous things if you spent less time and energy with your children, but my guess is, if you are reading this, it’s because you have fought the noble battle of choosing to win at the right thing. God notices. Your kids notice. And one day, the fruit of your choices will show.
3. You just need to stay at it!
Someone once said that if you want to grow quick, grow grass. If you want to grow deep, grow trees. If you want to grow impact, grow men!
You’re in this for the long haul. Many times, as fathers, we don’t always see the fruit of our efforts. Sometimes it may seem like you do not have the impact you want to have. I want to encourage you today, as sure as God will make the sun rise tomorrow, you can be sure that your role as a father matters.
Don’t give up, and don’t give in. Through the power and strength of Christ, you can do this! One day, it will be seen that this was the most important thing you did with your life. Keep that before you, and keep at it!
May you be encouraged
I hope on this Father’s Day you are celebrated and encouraged by many. But, even if you are not, know that God sees all that you are doing and is so proud of you. Happy Father’s Day!
Please leave a comment below to share your encouraging word for other fathers to read.
To help take your Father's Day service to the next level, our team at StartCHURCH has created a several graphics you can use at your church. You can use them for backgrounds for your projection, or as an email invitation, or for any other purpose as you see fit.
Call us at 877-494-4655 to request our free graphics, like the one below, sent to your email!
