Seven Promises from Your Husband: #6

I am committed to stay the task of being the spiritual leader of our family, helping all grow in the character of Jesus Christ.

I just got in from work and it was one of those nights when I was tired and bone weary. My spirit was spent and I wanted just to plop down and ignore everything and everyone. Yet, I had not made my “rounds” by checking in with my kids and asking about their day. I knew my daughter recently had her feelings hurt at dance class and I wanted to see how she was handling it. My head was throbbing and my eyes were nearly shut with the pain, but I listened, we connected and she felt better. I finished my rounds, the family had dinner and with bedtime now here, I went to the couch to catch the news.

Still, my emotions were raw; I had been carrying an unsettling feeling around all day. Sometimes I feel unworthy of the adoration I see in my children’s eyes. I fear that I am not quite the hero my daughter thinks I am, never quite the man my sons believe me to be. Questions about the kind of impact I’m having on their young lives keeps me awake at times. It was those types of questions I was now having on the couch, trying to lose my thoughts on the news guy on screen. My wife came to the family room and told me something that would lift me back into truth. As she was saying goodnight to my daughter, Sarah told her, “Mom, Daddy is the one person that shows me Jesus the best”.

My daughter noticed that I wasn’t feeling well, yet had taken the time to listen to her heart. She saw a picture of Christ’s character fleshed out in her Daddy when I was willing to pursue her despite the way I felt. I once read “More is caught than taught” and I believe that to be true. The picture of a sacrificial father will tremendously impact the growth factor of his children; they are looking for a way to follow. We need to lead by example, to set the course and remind our family of Jesus every step of the way.


Blessings,
Jay

“So great is my veneration of the Bible that the earlier my children began to read it, the more confident will be my hope that they will prove useful citizens of their country and respectable members of society.”
John Adams

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© 2008 Jay Cookingham - All rights reserved.
Jay Cookingham recently published two articles for the God's Way series. You can visit his home page at http://Jaycookingham.com

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