It will be difficult for me to write a positive blog about fathers.  Both my father and my husband’s father were both abusive alcoholics.  Therefore, I will have to look hard for good things to say about either of them  Their mouths were always instruments of criticism and emotional injury.  My father was just cruel in may of his behaviors; Rich’s dad was abusive both physically and emotionally.  He would whip the boys with a milk hose and hit them in the face with his fist.

God’s word states clearly in Ephesians 6:4 that fathers are not to provoke their children to wrath, but bring them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  Abuse of any kind results in wrath.  That anger may not show up for years, but it will show up.  Children carry these scars well into adulthood, and if God doesn’t intervene, it will be passed on to the next generation.  Thank God that Jesus rescued me and Rich.

All of my siblings had control issues and were addicted to either drugs or alcohol or both. Most of their children also struggle with addictions and alcohol. My one sister didn’r drink, but she married an alcoholic and controlled her children even as adults.  She had her own addictions, also.  Rich’s only sibling, a brother, has a drinking problem and much uncontrolled anger.

Our only pattern for being a good father is God our Father.  He has shown mens how to love and respect their children. Fathers are to love and protect their children.  They are to provide a home and food on the table.  They are expected to teach them the ways of God and provide them opportunities to succeed.

In I Peter 4:8 we are told that “love covers a multitude of sins”.  I believe love also covers a multitude of mistakes.  There is no manual we get before we start a family, that tells us all we need to know about how to be perfect parents.  We all make mistakes with our children, but our love and God’s grace can make it all good.  We can learn from our mistakes and our children can learn that even parents don’t have all the answers.

God’s grace is sufficient for us and our children.  Children tend to forget our mistakes when they are surrounded with unconditional love.  Dad’s everywhere can be good dads if they choose to follow Jesus and His ways.