June 22nd, 2022
Written by Angie Drummonds
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! We hope you each spent your Father’s Day with those you love the most and who possibly are the reason you have all that gray hair; and that your families honored you well for the hero that you are! Whether you have been a dad for years, a new dad, a dad to be, or a spiritual father, we honor and appreciate all the men who are being the men God created them to be.
What makes someone a good dad?
There are so many ways to answer that question ranging from someone who leads well, provides well, and loves well, to someone who is compassionate, involved, and supportive. There are many things that make a man a great father, but nothing more important than a man who directs his children to follow Jesus. A good father leads his children to Jesus by living as an example for them to follow. The best example we have to follow is the one of our Heavenly Father and His love for us.
As Proverbs 22:6 reminds, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” The beginning of becoming a great dad, starts with being a good follower of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 says that fathers encourage and comfort their children. A Father who loves his children will love and lead them with the Bible as his guide. He will encourage and comfort them, and will always remind them to live in a way that will bring glory and honor to God.
Dads are good at so many things. They can fix anything. They never need directions. And who else do you know that can wear jean shorts, knee socks, and flip flops and get away with it? And who else can tell a dad joke but a dad? Like this lovely one submitted by Danel Wallis.
“I mixed some holy water with my laxative this morning. I’m about to start a religious movement.” Haha…nothing like a good ol’ dad joke to make you laugh, cry, and shake your head!
Dads have the patience to teach you how to do many things; like riding a bike, how to hunt and fish, how to change a tire, and, one day, how to drive a car. When our three kids were learning how to drive, my husband was the one who had enough patience and nerves of steel to ride in the car with them so they could learn. I remember one time he was riding in the car with one of our kids who struggled a bit with driving. When they got home they were so proud of themselves and said, “I did good, didn’t I dad?” He smiled and said “Yeah, you sure did!” Once they walked in the house, he looked at me and said, “We need to pray because I was scared for my life!” But that is what dads do. They encourage and support their kids, while praying all along the way!
I asked some of our Revival Kids the question, “What makes your dad a good dad?” Here are just a few of their sweet and hilarious answers:
“Whooping our tails! Also that he loves me, he loves mommy, and he helps me open things that are too hard for me to open and he dances with me!” –Selah
“Everything he does for me, but there’s A LOT of different things!” –Marley
“He’s just amazing at everything and I love him a lot!” –Camryn
“He is good at helping me!” –Jace
“He’s nice and kind.” –Emma Jean
“He’s never too tired to hang out with his kids!” –Hudson
“He takes care of us, he loves us, and he’s my best friend!” –Tanner
“Dad snuggles me!” –Caiden
Children pay attention to the smallest things and those are the things that matter most to them. Notice that not one of them mentioned material things they were given, but rather time that was spent with them.
I also asked some of the dad’s in our church some questions about fatherhood and as I read their answers I began to notice how similar their responses were to the heart of our Heavenly Father and how he loves us. For example, one of the questions I asked was, “What is the hardest part of being a dad?” Most all of them had similar answers:
“Seeing my kids hurt/fail” –Shawn Martin
“Making sure they have everything they need, providing a home and everything they need to survive.” –Chad Driggers
“The hardest part for me was being gone so much coaching ball. It was all-consuming and I thought that’s what good coaches did.” –Harold Garrett
“The hardest thing for me as a dad is seeing my kids struggle.” –Ben Payne
“Seeing your kids upset about something and not being able to fix it.” –Jason White
“That my son would understand how much love I have for him.” –Danel Wallis
I also asked them “What is the most rewarding part of being a dad?” Here’s a few of their responses:
“The opportunity to raise and watch four children grow up and see their faces light up when I get home!” –Chad Driggers
“Seeing the young man he has become and his love for Jesus and concern he has for other people.” –Danel Wallis
“Seeing your kids accomplish something they have been working on hard to achieve.” –Jason White
“When I hear or see them use something I taught them to solve a problem or overcome a fear or struggle…that blows me away! That makes me feel more accomplished than anything else.” –Ben Payne
“The most rewarding part is now. I see our children doing what I prayed for. They love God. They are good parents and family is important.” –Harold Garrett
“All the memories!” –Shawn Martin
I also asked a couple “dads-to-be” about what they most look forward to in becoming a new dad, they too had responses that show the heart of a dad who is following the Lord and seeking His will for their families.
“I am most looking forward to doing ministry together as a family unit. I am excited to become the dad God has called me to be and raise my child up in the way she should go. This will come with challenges and hard times, but it is exciting all at the same time.” –Alex Fortson
“I am most looking forward to investing in my child to see them grow.” –Devon Bowman
As we see the heart of a few of our dads, we also see a reflection of the heart of God. A father loves and provides for his family. He cares about their needs and their well-being. God gives us many examples of how an earthly father cares for his children and how much more God cares for and loves us. A good dad is a reflection of God (see Matthew 7:9-11)
A good dad isn’t always a perfect one. He’s not someone who always gets it right, but he is someone who always keeps trying to. A good dad may not always know the answer, but he always helps find one. A good dad does many things that matter so much to his children, things he probably doesn’t even realize he does. These are moments that make an enormous impact in the lives of those who look up to him as their hero.
Even in the routine between jobs, home, and life, remember that you are making memories, building relationships, and adding value to the life of your child simply by being present. So, today, we honor all the men who are exactly what God called you to be for your family.
Happy Father’s Day!
Enjoy these extra bonus funniest dad moments from a couple of our dads!
“The funniest dad moment I can remember is watching Granddaddy (Harold) run over a guy at the go cart track in Gulf Shores with Griffin in the passenger seat. The poor guy landed in Granddaddy’s lap!” –Shawn Martin
“The funniest dad moment as I look back now is the time we were in Birmingham driving in the rain and the kids were in the backseat fussing/fighting. I saw a used car lot that had a van for sale. I pulled our car in and traded that day so that each kid had their own seat!” –Harold Garrett
“One of the funniest and most embarrassing dad moments is accidentally hitting Brynlee’s head on a door frame when she was eleven days old because a Alabama football game was on, she was fine but I had to get to the tv so I could see the play!” –Jason White
Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there! We hope you each spent your Father’s Day with those you love the most and who possibly are the reason you have all that gray hair; and that your families honored you well for the hero that you are! Whether you have been a dad for years, a new dad, a dad to be, or a spiritual father, we honor and appreciate all the men who are being the men God created them to be.
What makes someone a good dad?
There are so many ways to answer that question ranging from someone who leads well, provides well, and loves well, to someone who is compassionate, involved, and supportive. There are many things that make a man a great father, but nothing more important than a man who directs his children to follow Jesus. A good father leads his children to Jesus by living as an example for them to follow. The best example we have to follow is the one of our Heavenly Father and His love for us.
As Proverbs 22:6 reminds, “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” The beginning of becoming a great dad, starts with being a good follower of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 says that fathers encourage and comfort their children. A Father who loves his children will love and lead them with the Bible as his guide. He will encourage and comfort them, and will always remind them to live in a way that will bring glory and honor to God.
Dads are good at so many things. They can fix anything. They never need directions. And who else do you know that can wear jean shorts, knee socks, and flip flops and get away with it? And who else can tell a dad joke but a dad? Like this lovely one submitted by Danel Wallis.
“I mixed some holy water with my laxative this morning. I’m about to start a religious movement.” Haha…nothing like a good ol’ dad joke to make you laugh, cry, and shake your head!
Dads have the patience to teach you how to do many things; like riding a bike, how to hunt and fish, how to change a tire, and, one day, how to drive a car. When our three kids were learning how to drive, my husband was the one who had enough patience and nerves of steel to ride in the car with them so they could learn. I remember one time he was riding in the car with one of our kids who struggled a bit with driving. When they got home they were so proud of themselves and said, “I did good, didn’t I dad?” He smiled and said “Yeah, you sure did!” Once they walked in the house, he looked at me and said, “We need to pray because I was scared for my life!” But that is what dads do. They encourage and support their kids, while praying all along the way!
I asked some of our Revival Kids the question, “What makes your dad a good dad?” Here are just a few of their sweet and hilarious answers:
“Whooping our tails! Also that he loves me, he loves mommy, and he helps me open things that are too hard for me to open and he dances with me!” –Selah
“Everything he does for me, but there’s A LOT of different things!” –Marley
“He’s just amazing at everything and I love him a lot!” –Camryn
“He is good at helping me!” –Jace
“He’s nice and kind.” –Emma Jean
“He’s never too tired to hang out with his kids!” –Hudson
“He takes care of us, he loves us, and he’s my best friend!” –Tanner
“Dad snuggles me!” –Caiden
Children pay attention to the smallest things and those are the things that matter most to them. Notice that not one of them mentioned material things they were given, but rather time that was spent with them.
I also asked some of the dad’s in our church some questions about fatherhood and as I read their answers I began to notice how similar their responses were to the heart of our Heavenly Father and how he loves us. For example, one of the questions I asked was, “What is the hardest part of being a dad?” Most all of them had similar answers:
“Seeing my kids hurt/fail” –Shawn Martin
“Making sure they have everything they need, providing a home and everything they need to survive.” –Chad Driggers
“The hardest part for me was being gone so much coaching ball. It was all-consuming and I thought that’s what good coaches did.” –Harold Garrett
“The hardest thing for me as a dad is seeing my kids struggle.” –Ben Payne
“Seeing your kids upset about something and not being able to fix it.” –Jason White
“That my son would understand how much love I have for him.” –Danel Wallis
I also asked them “What is the most rewarding part of being a dad?” Here’s a few of their responses:
“The opportunity to raise and watch four children grow up and see their faces light up when I get home!” –Chad Driggers
“Seeing the young man he has become and his love for Jesus and concern he has for other people.” –Danel Wallis
“Seeing your kids accomplish something they have been working on hard to achieve.” –Jason White
“When I hear or see them use something I taught them to solve a problem or overcome a fear or struggle…that blows me away! That makes me feel more accomplished than anything else.” –Ben Payne
“The most rewarding part is now. I see our children doing what I prayed for. They love God. They are good parents and family is important.” –Harold Garrett
“All the memories!” –Shawn Martin
I also asked a couple “dads-to-be” about what they most look forward to in becoming a new dad, they too had responses that show the heart of a dad who is following the Lord and seeking His will for their families.
“I am most looking forward to doing ministry together as a family unit. I am excited to become the dad God has called me to be and raise my child up in the way she should go. This will come with challenges and hard times, but it is exciting all at the same time.” –Alex Fortson
“I am most looking forward to investing in my child to see them grow.” –Devon Bowman
As we see the heart of a few of our dads, we also see a reflection of the heart of God. A father loves and provides for his family. He cares about their needs and their well-being. God gives us many examples of how an earthly father cares for his children and how much more God cares for and loves us. A good dad is a reflection of God (see Matthew 7:9-11)
A good dad isn’t always a perfect one. He’s not someone who always gets it right, but he is someone who always keeps trying to. A good dad may not always know the answer, but he always helps find one. A good dad does many things that matter so much to his children, things he probably doesn’t even realize he does. These are moments that make an enormous impact in the lives of those who look up to him as their hero.
Even in the routine between jobs, home, and life, remember that you are making memories, building relationships, and adding value to the life of your child simply by being present. So, today, we honor all the men who are exactly what God called you to be for your family.
Happy Father’s Day!
Enjoy these extra bonus funniest dad moments from a couple of our dads!
“The funniest dad moment I can remember is watching Granddaddy (Harold) run over a guy at the go cart track in Gulf Shores with Griffin in the passenger seat. The poor guy landed in Granddaddy’s lap!” –Shawn Martin
“The funniest dad moment as I look back now is the time we were in Birmingham driving in the rain and the kids were in the backseat fussing/fighting. I saw a used car lot that had a van for sale. I pulled our car in and traded that day so that each kid had their own seat!” –Harold Garrett
“One of the funniest and most embarrassing dad moments is accidentally hitting Brynlee’s head on a door frame when she was eleven days old because a Alabama football game was on, she was fine but I had to get to the tv so I could see the play!” –Jason White
3 Comments
This was so good, made me smile as I read. A blog that makes you proud to be a dad!
This was so fun to read and helped me understand fathers a bit more. My eyes have been opened in a few areas of the intentions of fathers how they love to help and teach. Sometimes the words spoke seem like correction or rejection but teaching is their way of offering love and wisdom to help improve our lives.
Avery, that is such wisdom. Fathers do love through teaching and helping their kids learn. ❤️