Statistically, it is very likely that my Dad is cooler than your Dad. He is a Fire Chief in a small town, and based on that fact alone he scores more cool points than many other men could every dream of. That’s not to say your Dad has no value; just that my Dad is cooler. However, my goal here is not to dunk on all of the other dads out there. My goal is to highlight why I wish there were more men like my Dad. In many circles, I hear individuals talk about how they don’t want to end up like their fathers. It comes up at work, in media, amongst friends, at church, etc. Every time I hear these comments, I thank the Lord that I would love to be exactly like my Dad in the ways that count. He is a good father, and our nation is in severe need of a few more of those.*

My Father displays what is means to be a man by the way he treats his wife. He is faithful to his wife through all circumstances. By this, I do not simply mean that he refused to lust after or pursue other women. Much more powerfully, he displayed faithfulness to my mother in every aspect of his life. As Ephesians 5 directs, he treats her as his highest earthly obligation. His job, hobbies, interests, etc. never eclipsed her as his number one. He showed me an example of a man who loves his wife as Christ loves the church. Week after week he gave himself up for her. My Dad puts his own comfort in the back seat to ensure that his wife has everything she needs. He works hard to ensure she is cared for. Yes, my mother works (and always has) outside the home, but she was never alone, and Dad made sure she was cared for before he rested himself. This displays not only his self-sacrifice and faithfulness, but his kindness and gentleness. He is not a dictator in the home; instead, he is a kind servant leader who cares for the woman he is responsible for. I am blessed to have such an amazing example of how to lead.

My Father invested heavily in my sister and I. He taught us to love the Lord. He taught us how to change a tire. He showed up to all of our childhood events even though I know they had to be boring. He helped us when we were sick. He pulled us out of ditches in the winter time. He was present. This list does not encapsulate everything he did; however, it drives home my point that he was present and faithful. Many in our world lack a Father figure because dad is not present or faithful. My Dad trained us up in the way we should go by being there, because you cannot train a child without being with the child.

Above all, my Father loves the Lord, and places his faith in the redemptive work of Jesus Christ by the grace of the Holy Spirit who opened his eyes to the truth. Growing up, it was not hard to see how important the church was (and still is) in my family. My Father ensured that we were there to fellowship every week. He ensured that he served in the body. He made clear to us the importance of giving of our time, talents, and treasures to the church no matter how busy or well off we were at the time. Additionally, he ensured that my sister and I had the opportunity to attend Christian schools as kids. This is not a listed requirement by the word of God; however, it exemplified how much value he placed on the faith of his children. He faithfully served the school as well to ensure that the faculty and staff could teach us and other kids about the Lord. Again and again, every choice he made in life reflected his faithfulness to his Lord. His faith is his highest priority.

My Dad is not the perfect model of our heavenly Father. He sins just like everyone else, but I see him striving towards the example set before him. Many men in the world today refuse to take responsibility and lead, which results in children without an example. Good fathers are essential, and I am blessed to have one of the best in the business. For those of you who have good dads, do not forget what a blessing it is to have someone who models the example of our heavenly Father. For those without good dads, I hope you can find comfort knowing that God offers himself as the ultimate Father and wants you in his family. For those who can act as father figures for those in need, do not waste the opportunity to be there for those whose earthly fathers cannot or will not be there. I’ll take another opportunity to cite the statistics about why fathers are so essential to well adjusted members of society, but today I simply want to highlight a few things that make my Dad rad.

*Thank you to the fathers here on Bereans. I have seen how you treat your wives and children, and I have the upmost respect for you. On this day, I remember all of you as well because you gave me a glimpse into each of your lives during my time at Cedarville, and I know your children are fortunate to have you.