The Calling of Fatherhood

This article is excerpted from the book Dad to Dad: Committed to This Awesome Calling by Tim Wesemann, published by Beacon Hill Press, 2002


The Calling of Fatherhood
Fatherhood is an awesome calling. Much of what we do with our calling as fathers will affect our children all through their lives.

Consider how your father affected your life. Does the way he communicated with your mother affect the way you now communicate? The same goes for how he dealt with frustration and anger. How often do you hear words coming out of your mouth that uncannily resemble your dad?s words? How has your dad?s faith, or lack of it, affected yours? Have you felt the affects of his love in the way you love? Compare your work ethic to your father?s. How influential has your dad?s presence, or lack of presence, in your life been as you?re now called to be a father? What physical attributes, emotional capabilities, or spiritual traits do you share with your dad?

Most often we are who we are because of what we learned in our homes. We?re comfortable with what we know, and we continue in those ways. There are also times when the Lord takes negative childhood experiences and uses them positively when we?re adults.

The powerful effect--positive or negative--that our fathers have had on us is amazing. And now we are fathers who are affecting our children?s lives. What an awesome responsibility!

We need to stand in awe of this calling and ministry. Fatherhood calls for a great commitment from people who live in a world that seems to know little about that subject. Being a father takes energy and work, as do all of our relationships--and it will have a lifetime effect on our children.
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