What Father’s Do

It’s Father’s Day and many of you, like myself, are away from your Dad.  Those of us who are just a phone call away understand how fortunate we are in that regard.  As we get older we slowly realize how right many of our Father’s were about life and living.  Though no earthly Daddy is perfect in every way they just do What Father’s Do.  Let’s talk about that…

In John 5 Jesus told the crowds, “The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.  For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth; and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”  Jesus gave us the example of following God the Father’s words, deeds and will.  In chapter 6 Jesus went on to say, “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”   He knew the value of The Father.  These truths also lay a heavy burden on the next generation to get it right for our children.

Fathers teach things like work.  Jesus was about the work of His Father (John 6:28-29).  Dads also help us understand the importance of obedience (5:30).  Did you ever hear your Daddy say, “Cause I said so!”  Well, without question, Jesus did what the Father said because He said so!  Fathers give things to their children like provision (Mt 7:9-11), food (Jn 5:32) physical & (v35) spiritual, strength (Ps 29:11), The Word (Ps 68:11), treasure (Mt 6:19-21), and things that no one can take away (Jn 6:39).

The greatest thing a Father can ever do is to instill faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in the life of their children (Jn 6:30).  The greatest thing that an earthly father can give his children is a heritage of faith.  I am overwhelmingly blessed in this regard.  I do, however, have close friends who are the first Father in their family tree to do so.  I think about my preacher friend, Dr. Brad Bailey in Brandon, FL who had a very disjointed relationship with his dad (Ps 68:5) but God put men in his life to point him toward Christ and today his children are being raised by one of the godliest men I know.  I think about some great dads who are waiting over on the other side.  Men like brother Curtis Hutson, brother Bobby Butler, Jackie Wilburn, and Rex Nelon, my Pawpaw Hugh New, and my Papa Neal Borden.  Toughest most loving men in history.

I’ll share one story that has been passed down to us about papa Borden. When my dad was a boy, Papa worked in a brass foundry in Piedmont, Alabama.  Somehow he broke his back and had to wear a full torso back brace.  In the midst of that he plowed their garden with a mule because it was the only way his family would have food to eat.  That is the kind of stock I am from, and I am thankful for it.  Pawpaw worked 42 years at Goodyear in Gadsden.  He would come in from 3rd shift and work their farm like a man of iron.  You cannot find men like that holding video games 3 hours a day or posting selfies. They were selfless. Both of those men help mold my Daddy into who he is; a dedicated Christian, an incredible husband and selfless father who always did without so we could have the best he could possibly provide.  On this Father’s Day, I wish to say in front of the whole world, I love you and I thank you for showing me what it means to be the right kind of Father.  Happy Father’s Day!

Thank you Lord for good Godly Father’s!

BroAdamB