Maximized Manhood – Day 4

As today begins and the idea in my mind is finishing the week strong, I am excited to get to see what today’s devotional is going to bring us. I have so enjoyed Lonnie’s sharing of Protector, Provider, and Priest and can’t wait to see where today will bring us. Lonnie’s post and video combo is a great one-two punch to help us connect with him and the topic of the day.

Let’s be the dads who are ready to dig in and dig deeper in order to be the men, the husbands, and the dads were are called to be! Let’s be the dads who turn to God to help us see gaps to fill and weaknesses to strengthen! Let’s be the dads who pursue becoming the dads God created, called, and purposed for us to be!

Today’s devotional is described as follows:

If there ever was a time for men to show up and rewrite the narrative of what it means to be a man of integrity, a good husband and a better father, that time is now. The fad of the absentee Dad is outdated, and we as men have to step up to the plate and be the fathers, husbands and leaders God has called us to be.

Maximized Manhood | Devotional Reading Plan | YouVersion Bible

Scripture from Today’s Devotional:

God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path! All scripture is God-breathed, God-inspired, and given by divine inspiration! All scripture is useful and profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, and fully equipped for every good work. So what better place to kick off and start our day and even this devotional than meditating on God’s Word?

Let’s be the dads who are good people! Let’s be the dads who leave an inheritance and legacy for our kids! Let’s be the dads who turn our lives over to God and receive Jesus into our hearts so that we can be transformed and live our lives to the full for the glory of God! Let’s be the dads who choose to direct our kids on the right path! Let’s be the dads who help our kids know the Lord and build their own personal relationships with Him! Let’s be the dads who desire for our wives, kids, and family to live their lives to the full by living them in a relationship with Jesus!

Today’s devotional has been provided to us by REALationships Marriage Ministry.

Reading through today’s devotional, here are some takeaways for me: (check out the devotional on your own too to see if you pick up other nuggets, and please share your findings in the comments)

For more information, please visit REALationships.

Takeaways from Today’s Devotional:
“Parent“

• What comes to your mind when you see or hear the word parent?
• Is it a picture of your parents? your friend’s parents? some tv show parents?
• Today’s devotional shares the following definition: “[pair-uhnt] noun a father or a mother“.
• Today’s devotional includes a video for us from Lonnie to watch before we continue:

• Let’s be the dads who capture the joy of being a parent and so choose to be a part of our kids’ lives!
• Let’s be the dads who choose to live our priorities of God first, wives second, and kids third so that anything and everything else that comes our way can’t be higher than fourth place.
• Let’s be the dads who enjoy the joys of being a dad!
• Let’s be the dads who even with the headaches, heartaches, and heartbreaks realize that believe there is no job more rewarding than being a parent!
• Let’s be the dads who are present for our wives and kids!
• Let’s be the dads who take on the responsibility of being present in the home for our wives and kids!
• Let’s be the dads who step up to the plate and be the parents our kids need we need!
• Let’s be the dads who step up to the plate to help our kids who are struggling with depression, thoughts of suicide, violence, and crime because of a lack of a dad because it is never too late!
• Let’s be the dads who are willing to take the first step to reconciliation with our kids!
• Let’s be the dads who realize it is never too late because they need you!
• Let’s be the dads who are ready to listen rather than offer discipline!
• Let’s be the dads who gain a new perspective of God with us as His children who are giving us grace and mercy!
• Let’s be the dads God has called, created, and purposed for us to be!
• Let’s be the dads who “are doing all that is in our power to nurture, equip and train our children for success“!
• Let’s be the dads who realize “that kids will test your faith, strength, and patience like no one else“!
• Let’s be the dads who also realize that doesn’t mean we are to give up!
• Let’s be the dads who are aware of “how children seem to have this innate ability to be persistent until they get what they want“!
• Let’s be the dads who are on the same page with our wives so that our kids learn and realize that “when you try one of us, you are trying both of us“!
• Let’s be the dads who look to be present from beginning to end, from birth onward!
• Let’s be the dads who are present to experience our kids evolving “over the years from infants into young adults” realizing how amazing and mind-blowing the experience will be!
• Let’s be the dads who are present and always looking to see “God’s hand at work throughout my children’s lifetime“!
• Let’s be the dads who “want our children to be prepared for the future, so we make sacrifices, send them to the best schools and give them access to things we never dreamed of having as kids“!
• Let’s be the dads who “work hard to create a nest egg, make investments, open bank accounts, establish trust funds, purchase stocks, bonds, and life insurance policies to help them out financially once we leave this world“!
• Today’s devotional shares a great truth and quote as it says:
  • “But one of the best pieces of parenting advice I ever heard was from Les Brown who said, “It’s not what you leave for your children, it’s what you leave in them that will make the biggest difference.”“
• Today’s devotional closes with the following thought, call to action, and prayer:
  • “As parents, we want our children to be prepared for the future, so we make sacrifices, send them to the best schools and give them access to things we never dreamed of having as kids. We work hard to create a nest egg, make investments, open bank accounts, establish trust funds, purchase stocks, bonds and life insurance policies to help them out financially once we leave this world. But one of the best pieces of parenting advice I ever heard was from Les Brown who said, “It’s not what you leave for your children, it’s what you leave in them that will make the biggest difference.” Too many times we focus on accumulating wealth, gaining assets and obtaining property, etc. to leave “for” our children, but rarely do we focus on what we are leaving “in” them. When we take the time to train up our children in the way they should go, it creates an anchor for their soul, so when they get older and make decisions contrary to God’s word or His will, they will have something in their spirit that guards them from going too far out into the troubled waters of evil and destruction. When we teach them godly principles and lead by example (not just with our words), it gives them a blueprint and a guide to model. Now I’m not naive to think as children grow up and go out into the real world they won’t make mistakes, explore things and dabble in sin, but I do believe as parents we should remain postured for extending grace, mercy and forgiveness to them, just like God showed us grace mercy and forgiveness when we were out in the world acting a fool. Parenting is not for the fainthearted, and I don’t take it for granted. I may not always get it right as a father, but I have made up my mind to never give up on my children, because God never gave up on me.“
  • “Call To Action: Have a talk with your kids. Express how much you love them and that you are proud to be their father. You may even have a broken relationship with them or their mother, but I challenge you to be the initiator and start the road to reconciliation with your children today. It’s never too late.“
  • “Prayer: Heavenly Father, I need grace to navigate these sometimes troubled waters of parenthood. I confess, I often get in my own way sometimes and mess up at being the father You have called me to be to my children. Today I’m asking for forgiveness, patience and guidance. You never gave up on me while I was out in the world living recklessly. Help me to extend the same grace to my children when they make bad choices and fall short. Help me to be a reflection of Your unfailing love in their lives. In Jesus’ name. Amen.“