A Good Father

What makes a good father?

I’ve spent a lot of time recently thinking about what i means to be a good father.

I’ve not only been blessed with having a wonderful father, but have been surrounded by great dads throughout my life, from grandfathers, to my friends dad’s, teachers and coaches.

Each of them embodied something that I wanted to take on and adopt as I grew up and ultimately became a father myself.

When Andy and I were young, we used to go down to his shop to “work”.

A Good Father Helps You Become Your Best Self

I learned a great deal from seeing the example he set - and I didn’t realize what it all meant until I was much older.

He softly taught me lessons about how to be a man, and how to be a father. To teach without lecturing, to guide through observation.

I now know, the more responsibility, the more meaning in life. The more you try to take on, the more meaningful your life will be.

Theres glory and meaning in helping people achieve their potential. People are looking for someone to tell them and guide them to their potential.

But a good father also knows when to stand out of the way and let their child fail. When to let them climb their way to their own success.

Gethsemane

It’s hard not to think about Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane.

At his weakest moment, he wanted support from his friends, but they were tired and fell asleep.

Often times we see this with even the best of friends. Even with their good intentions, when things get too hard, they may fade away and fall asleep - even at your hour of need.

Who was there for him? His father.

Listen To The Father

What did he do? he prayed?

First he bartered for his life? Is there another way? Do I have to do this?

then he got angry, he threw it back in his father’s face - fine, if this is what you really want- you really want to see what they're going to do to me?

Finally, he accepted it. Not because he had given up, but because he finally saw the true purpose of his sacrifice. He knew it was his purpose. His father never left him. He was always there. But Jesus had to step onto the path on his own. It was the only way for him to fulfil his destiny, his purpose. To become the man he was meant to be.

The Struggle of The Father

I don’t know what God thought about when he heard Jesus pray.

But I imagine he cried. I imagine he is a God who wanted to take the suffering away from his son.

But a Father has to let the child pick themselves up and walk on their own path, or they become a tyrant and destroy their child by making them weak.

Jesus wasn’t weak.

And that’s the struggle I have as a father - when to offer a hand to pick them up, and when to stand back and watch them pick themselves up.

Joshua 1:9 (LEB)

Did I not command you? Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed, for The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”