"I'm Trying"
By: Zach Wood
Proverbs 22:6
Train a child in the way he should go, and
when he is old he will not turn from it.
Last weekend, my wife, daughter and I joined my
father-in-law and brother-in-law as we all went down to southern Illinois to
lead worship for a Family Weekend Service at a church. We had a wonderful
time and were very blessed to listen to a man from Lincoln Christian College
speak about Family. The man had such a heart as he spoke about family
values and how God should be number one in families. My wife and I were
both very blessed to listen to this man share so much information about
family.
He spoke about couples and their relationships, but he
also talked about how, as parents, we need to be Godly examples to our
children. I kept thinking to myself, "Lord, I'm trying, and I know I need
your guidance more". As a dad, I find myself thinking more and more about
how I am acting around my daughter. Jayda is a beautiful little girl who
just captivates everyone who sees her. She is such a breath of fresh air
for us and for others to enjoy. There are plenty of times when it gets
frustrating to take care of her, but that is just part of learning as a
parent. I understand that and I am trying to be the best dad I can be to
her. I want her to see Christ's love through me. There is so much she does
not understand, but I want to do everything possible to show God's love to
her. That is the most important. I can show God's love to her by lavishing
love on her and also by treating my wife with respect and love as well.
For the past few months, I have been realizing that I
spend a lot of time at home when I am not at work. I do not go out and do
much with other people. I do occasionally, but I am mostly at home just
enjoying time with my wife and daughter. I guess I feel like I lead a
simple life as I have heard others describe my life. You know what? I am
okay with that. I will never get these years back that I am spending right
now with my daughter. I just think about how so many fathers get so caught
up in everything else that the children seem to be neglected. I do not want
that to happen to my daughter. This is my first time being a dad and I want
it to be a tremendous experience! That is why I love to be home and just
enjoy being a family guy. I love it!
I am aiming this devotional mostly at other dads.
Ladies, you can be an encouragement to the husband in your life or the other
men in your life if you are not married. Be an encouragement to dads by
helping them to realize being a dad is so important. I am sure so many of
you dads out there feel just like my title, "I'm Trying". Many times, I
feel like I am failure at being a dad. I get distracted and get caught up
in things here at home. However, I know that God is daily molding me into
the dad He wants me to be. I'm learning and I'm trying.
As I learned from the speaker last weekend, dads, we
need make our families and, especially our children, priorities. This
Proverbs passage is such a powerful verse. I pray that you are encouraged
and motivated to become a better Godly father. I am trying and I know God
is on my side helping me. I've got a long way to go, but that's okay. It
takes time to learn. Be a Godly father.