Best Dad Ever

There are all kinds of dads in this world. Some are simply wonderful, some are extremely terrible. Some support and encourage their children, some abandon and frustrate their kids. In the U.S., we have a holiday called Father's Day. Some look forward to it, some hate it. Some have had compassionate dads, and some have had abusive dads who are tyrants. 

There are many who have never even gotten a chance to know their dads. In our country, the statistics aren't very good regarding stable families. The divorce rate is almost 50%. Even worse for second marriages (60%). Thirty-seven percent of all families have a single parent. 

If I were to ask everyone I encounter, "How would you rate your dad? - lousy, ok, fairly good, or the best?", I wonder what the breakout would be? I'm sorry to say that most likely, the response of "the best" would not be at the top of the list. But regardless of the answers, I'm certain of one thing. Everyone yearns to have a great father.

So, what would be the traits of the best dad that anyone could ever have? Let's take a look. Here's my top ten list of the characteristics of the ideal dad. 

1. He Has Great Character

Honest, humble, trustworthy, even tempered, sober minded, compassionate, moral

2. He Is A Provider

Hard worker, diligent, resourceful, provides stability

3. He Is A Family Man

Looks out for the family, cherishes their relationship, has fun together, faithful to his wife and family

4. He Disciplines When Necessary

Corrects and admonishes; yet doesn't exasperate, but is merciful 

5. He Is A Man Of His Word

Does what he says he will do, keeps his promises

6. He Is An Encourager

Builds up, doesn't tear down, instills confidence

7. He Gives Wise Advice

Guides, shares experiences, teaches, warns, directs

8. He Leads Spiritually

Prays, faithful follower of Christ, a Bible reader, teaches his family Biblical principles

9. He Leads By Example

Models, not only says what to do, but does it, always does the right thing

10. He Loves Unconditionally

Loves regardless, expresses love in words as well as actions

Here's the point. All the above 10 characteristics are demonstrated by God himself.

1. He Has Great Character
"Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty..." (Revelation 4:8)
2. He Is A Provider
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)
3. He Is A Family Man
I will be their God and they will be my children. (Revelation 21:7)
4. He Disciplines When Necessary
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12:7)
5. He Is A Man Of His Word
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:23)
6. He Is An Encourager
And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17)
7. He Gives Wise Advice
Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105)
8. He Leads Spiritually
God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)
9. He Leads By Example
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. (John 13:15)
10. He Loves Unconditionally
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.(Romans 5:8)

You see, God is the perfect father - the perfect role model. And for many, He is the wonderful father that was missing in this physical world. He is the "father to the fatherless" (Psalm 68:5). Many have a hard time understanding God's love for us because they never had a good relationship with their own earthly father, and it's hard to grasp what that relationship should be like. God simply wants to be in a loving father-child relationship with us.

Many see God as a religious icon, a powerful judge who instills fear in the hearts of those under Him. That's not the case. There is an Aramaic word, "Abba", that was used when Jesus was on earth. It basically means "daddy". It's an intimate, loving description of a father. That's how we should see God. Not as a tyrant, but as our loving, compassionate "daddy".

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” (Romans 8:15 NLT)

He loves His children so much, He would lay down His life for them. Sound familiar? He did just that! Jesus, as God in the flesh, died for us, took our punishment for sin, so that we can have new life. He died for our sake, laying down His life for us - all this because of His love for us. 

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! (1 John 3:1 NKJV) That's right, through Christ, we are adopted by God as His children. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 1:5)

For all those who want to know how to be a good father, I have good news......God models it for us. Just come to know Him more fully, listen to Him, learn from Him, and you will become the best dad anyone could ever have. And for all those who are currently trying to be the best dad anyone could ever have.....keep up the good work! And keep being dad, no matter how grown up your children become.


 (Republished from my blog dated 06/14/13)