DADS

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.  Abide in me.” John 15:9

On this Father’s Day weekend, I am so fortunate to have and have had great men and Dads in my life.  My Daddy was a farmer, a “developer”, a man of faith, and a family man.  Randy’s Dad was a salesman, a sports figure, a man of faith, and a family man.  Randy is a minister, sports lover, a man of faith, and a family man.  Rob is a director of sports, lover of sports, a man of faith, and a family man.  Lee is a medical salesman, a lover of everything, a man of faith, and a family man. I love that the tie that binds is family and faith.

If you look at the one factor that most closely correlates with success in a family, it is the presence of a father.  “The DADS should provide Direction, Availability, Discipline, and Spirituality.  The most important of these is availability.  If you are not available, you can’t be there to give direction, your discipline will be resented,  and your spiritual guidance will be rejected.”  If Dads aren’t there for their children someone else will be, and it won’t always be someone you will like.

I love seeing Dads who coach their kids in sports, attend church with their families, give lots of hugs to their kids, put their arm around their children’s mom, encourage their children, and lead their family spiritually.  These guys set the example for their children, and they are giving them quite a gift!

On this Father’s Day, it is fitting that we honor the men in our lives who are strong in their faith, character, and love.  They exemplify the Father’s love through their own.

“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.”  Jim Valvano

Happy Father’s Day, guys!