Absent – Abiding Fathers

The Way That He Should Go

John Wodka — Sat, 19 Nov 2016 17:57:13 +0000

Roy predetermined that his child was going to go in a certain direction instead of listening to what his boys wanted to do.

Roy was very athletic and as a father, he wanted his boys to follow in his footsteps. ‘You’re either going into the military or going to play sports in college’. He thought his middle son was kind of weak. He thought he needed to be pushed into football and was frustrated at his lack of interest.

One day, Roy’s wife told him to read Proverbs 22. He learned that he was supposed to train up his child in the Lord and the way that he should go, not in the way that Roy wanted him to go. Once he grasped that, he started paying attention to his son and his interests. His son turned out to be an artist and into MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). Roy learned to listen, love, and learn.

I hated my dad.

Be The Dad — Thu, 04 Aug 2016 18:01:01 +0000

He planned to kill his dad….not become like him.

Roy Watson hated his dad and planned to kill him. Hear Roy share how his life was changed and yet he discovered ways he was just like the father he vowed not to become.

As you reflect on Roy’s story, what do you think? We’d like to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below and share with a friend.

In case you missed last month’s series, “Talk Isn’t Always Cheap“, check it out here.

Talk Isn’t Always Cheap – VIDEO: Bodie Spangler “Say These Four Things”

Be The Dad — Thu, 07 Jul 2016 01:49:57 +0000

We all know the truth behind the statement that talk is cheap, right? It’s easier to talk the talk than it is to walk the walk. When it comes to being a dad, we want to walk the walk. Even if at times – lets admit it – our walk might look more like a disoriented hobble.

Us dads are learning how to walk out this thing called fatherhood.

(Which is why 9 out of 10 young dads recommend subscribing to our email list if you haven’t already.)

But this month we are going to be addressing one aspect of talk that isn’t cheap.

What you say to your kids matters a whole heck of a lot – and some words can be very expensive.

A few times I remember being told by my stepdad that I was “the stupidest kid he’s ever seen”. As a retired chief in the Navy, he definitely had a way with words. A way that I’ve tried hard not to replicate. Having him talk to me like that cost a lot. Eventually, I got to the point where I was very insecure about whether I was messing up and this made even the most mundane tasks surprisingly unpleasant if he was around.

But you know what’s surprising? I think there are some words that were more valuable than even the harshest criticism and negativity. But these are words I never heard, though like you, I wish I had. Or maybe some of you did.

“Son, I love you.”

[pause and reflect]

Yes – what we say to our kids matters. It matters more than we realize. And that’s what we are focusing on this month. Talk isn’t always cheap!