How to Reignite Your Fatherly Fidelity

Men have a special role in the family.

They show their daughters what to look for in a future husband and how a man should treat his wife. They show their boys how to be a committed husband, a loving father, and a man of integrity.

At least that’s what we’re striving to do.

We don’t always hit the mark, but I can tell you, there are a lot of good men out there. They’re dedicated fathers and husbands who are committed to their families and work hard to instill strong values in their children.

Still, guys get busy building their careers or working hard to make ends meet, and they can always use some encouragement to remember that the needs of their wives and children are their greatest responsibilities.

Like many of us, when inspirational and motivational speaker Ken Davis was faced with the responsibility of raising children, he realized his own upbringing hadn’t prepared him for the task. He had never planned to become a parent in the first place, but within a few years of being told he and his wife would never have children, they had two. He had to learn his role along the way.

On our broadcast today and tomorrow, we’re airing a talk Ken gave to a stadium full of men several years back. I think you’ll agree with me that the commitments he suggests men adopt are timeless.

The first is a commitment of time. Men can often get so busy they don’t make time for the most important people, particularly their wives and children.

To our families, “love” is spelled T – I – M – E. As Ken says, “Aren’t you glad that God didn’t send us an e-mail? Aren’t you glad He didn’t leave a text message on our phone? Aren’t you glad He sent Jesus to live among us and take the time to prove the love of God?”

Life goes by faster than we realize. The truth of that is really starting to sink in for me because my boys are almost 16 and 14, and Jean and I don’t have much longer with them at home. They’re going to be adults before we know it. It’s reminding me that every day is a good day for us to spend time with our children. It’s the best part of my day, I can tell you that.

The second commitment is to say, “I love you.” There are many different ways to demonstrate our love, of course, and those are important, too. But our wives and children need to hear us verbalize it. I say it to my boys every day. And throughout Scripture we see how the Lord tells us that He loves us, as well. “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Another commitment is to touch. Some dads stop hugging their daughters around the time their daughters reach puberty. But that may be the time their daughters need to experience appropriate touch from their father as much as any other time in their lives.

As for your sons, touch them, too. Hug them, give them a playful shove, or wrestle with them. Find a way to make a loving connection with them through touch.

And finally is your commitment to Christ. You can’t force your children to love the Lord, and you can’t instill spiritual character or integrity in your children through discipline and rules alone. Perhaps more than anything else you may say or achieve, your children will be impacted by watching your walk with the Lord and witnessing how you treat your wife. When they see a strong commitment to Jesus that endures through the good and the bad, they’ll see a faith that works.

Most dads I know could use a little pat on the back this weekend and a few “attaboys” to show they’re doing a good job and are appreciated. That can start right here on our “Hooray for Dad!” broadcasts today and tomorrow with Ken Davis, who will be sharing some great advice and encouragement – and plenty of humor – as we anticipate Father’s Day this weekend.

Ken is an author and a motivational speaker who teaches speaking skills to ministry professionals and corporate executives. Join us on your local radio station, tune in anytime online, or give our free, downloadable mobile phone app a try.