A father’s influence

June 18, 2007

By William E. Richardson

“Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6, NKJV).

Father’s Day, 2004, was a unique day in baseball history. Ken Griffey Jr., playing for the Cincinnati Reds, hit his 500th home run. After rounding the bases and crossing home plate, “Junior” approached the stands and his father, Ken Griffey Sr., a former Cincinnati Red. Griffey Jr. hugged his dad, wishing him “Happy Father’s Day.”

Many people can name two or three famous persons — actors, athletes or politicians — who have followed their fathers’ career paths. It makes sense. Beginning very early in life, children take their cues from their fathers.

We fathers influence with our words. We explain — at times, how to do something, at other times, what something means. We warn. We prepare our children for future situations. Our words protect them, from both immediate danger and those yet to come.

In Deuteronomy 6:6,7, God commands us to ingrain His directives in the hearts of our children. We’re to see and use every opportunity to teach them God’s explanations and warnings about life.

We fathers influence with our actions. Our children observe and learn. We show them an array of things, from how to use tools to how to drive a car. We also demonstrate what’s important by taking our children to church. There, they can see us giving in the offering, opening our Bibles to follow the pastor’s sermon, and responding to the Holy Spirit.

We fathers influence with our moral examples. Whichever direction we lead, we’ll join a team of influential fathers. Hopefully those who stand tall and strong like a sequoia. That team’s deep roots can be traced back to Noah, Abraham, and the father of the Prodigal Son.

Evangelist and Vietnam War veteran Dave Roever had such a father. Upon entering the service, the recruits were offered a shot to fight off venereal disease. Dave refused it. He didn’t need it. His father had taught by moral example to remain true to your spouse, no matter where you are.

Too many men don’t realize the power of fatherly influence. Their helpful words, actions, and moral example are lacking. Even so, their children follow that negative influence.

God gave us fathers an awesome responsibility to use our influence well. Without direct help from the Heavenly Father, the job is overwhelming and impossible.

If your influence as a father has been less than positive, God wants you to succeed. He wants you on His winning team. You can call for His help today.

If you are training your children according to God’s standards, stay at it; your Heavenly Father is in the stands watching and cheering you on.

William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.