For the Men

I had the great privilege of eating lunch with my dad last week. I don’t use the term “privilege” loosely. I consider my father the greatest man in my life. He has influenced me in ways I will not fully grasp this side of heaven. So in this blog I honor a great man and hopeful give insight into being Godly men who lead our homes as Christ has called us to do.

1. Man of God
My father places God above all else in his life. I grew up seeing my dad in prayer. He prayed with us and for us. He prays about the smallest details in life and the greatest decisions to come. I’ve seen him pray for the lost, skip meals to pray, and thank God for blessings during some of the most difficult times. I’ve heard him say “in Your will” more times than I can count. He studies God’s Word openly in front of his family. He speaks often about God and his love for Christ. Most importantly He lives out his relationship with Christ everyday. The Gospel of Christ made alive in his life is clear for all to see. He has always shared that Gospel with those he comes into contact.

2. Man of his marriage
I’ve never questioned the love my dad has for my mom. They have been visibly in love with each other for more than 50 years. He shows a love that is far more deep than mere emotion. It is a passion based on knowledge of my mom’s most intimate needs. He understands a Godly commitment to her for life. He understands sacrifice and selflessness in marriage.

3. Man of his children
As a pastor my father has always lived under the incredible burden of leading a church. I never felt that I was less important than his ministry, as many of my PK friends felt. Being a pastor requires a huge amount of time and emotion, but my dad kept his priorities straight – God, marriage, children, and then all the rest. Even through the most hurtful circumstances, he carried the burdens without placing it on the family. He showed me that no matter how noble or Godly the job, it means nothing if your relationship with God and family suffers.

4. Man of strength, boldness and humility
In my father I see strength and boldness to stand for what is right. I’ve witnessed this over and over in my life. He is a man of integrity wrapped in humility. He is a humble servant, but by no means a push-over. He tells it like it is not out of pride, but from a deep resolve and confidence in what is good and right.

5. Man of kindness and wisdom
My father is a truly kind and gentle man, a man of great wisdom and discernment. People enjoy being around him. He treats people with respect and gives them time and attention. He cares about their lives. His wisdom is based on the ways of God and not selfish motivation or vain conceit.

6. Man of forgiveness
My dad both gives forgiveness and seeks forgiveness. From all the things listed above you might think my view of my father is one of perfection. He is a great man not a perfect man. One of his greatest attributes is to seek forgiveness when he has been wrong. I’ve seen tears in his eyes when he has asked me to forgive him for a misstep in parenting. I’ve seen him ask forgiveness from my mom. I’ve heard him pray for forgiveness from Christ. I’ve been taken by his hand and led to ask forgiveness from someone I’ve wronged. I’ve also seen him forgive others. People who have hurt him deeply, like the drunk driver who killed his only brother or close friends who betrayed him. He didn’t allow us to harbor angry feelings toward others. I’ve learned more from watching him forgive than probably anything else.

Thanks for allowing me to honor my father with this blog. These are just a few of the ways I’ve been shaped by his life. As I look forward to my own son’s birth next month, I realize the awesome responsibility of influence as a father. As men we have been given the task of leading and molding our home. We are not just positively influencing our child. We are answering a command to lead generations to come “in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). Thanks, Daddy!

—Pastor Dennis