Another Devotional for Dads
Galatians 2:20 – 2 Corinthians 12:9
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We all have those days right? Or is it just me? Those times when we go full on “Shotgun Daddy” mode. Blasting words around toward anyone in shouting distance that may not have done what they are supposed to do. Always totally justified, of course.
“Tonight is trash night! Who only did half the dishes? When was the last time you cleaned your room? Why haven’t the bathrooms been scrubbed yet? Isn’t that your job this week? Who is supposed to put away the dishes? This is your month to mow the lawn!”
Buckle up, I’m just getting warmed up.
“I can’t even walk into this room because of all the toys and stuff on the floor.”
“No, you can’t play with my phone! It isn’t your “play” day! No, you don’t need another snack! You already had 4 today!”
What you? A four year old?
This day was especially bad. I had had enough. Totally worn out. Reached my boiling point. Not proud of my behavior that day:
[Rare door slam] [Toy kicked across the lawn] [Water sprayer chucked into the flowerbed] [Another rare door slam]
I really lost my cool. Thankfully not too many were around to witness my (mostly) uncharacteristic hissy fit.
It was pretty pathetic.
And I was wrong to act that way.
I was focused directly on my needs, my desires, my way, how I think things should be done and on my timeline.
Not a whole lot of listening, not much tenderness, not much…Christlikeness. Sigh. Ugh. Double Sigh.
Instead, lots of
“ME!”
“I!”
“I!”
and a little more
“ME!”
Sacrifice…its our job
Guys, as Dads, we are called to sacrifice.
We are instructed by the Word of God to love our families (Paul said wives, but we will lump them both together) as Christ loved and gave Himself for the church.
Remember what He did? Of course you do: 3.5 years of living 100% for others capped off by torture, ridicule, and ultimately…a gruesome, bloody death.
Every single action, movement, and intention of Jesus was for the benefit of His church…His Bride.
Living in His Strength
Jesus set the bar pretty high, didn’t he? Maybe impossibly high.
The Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, made these two statements:
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” and also our “strength is made perfect in weakness.”
While in the middle of your struggle to be a great dad/husband consider this: We were never meant to walk in our own strength. We are at our strongest when we admit our inability to do it on our own and rely entirely on His ability to empower us to be the man we desire to be. The man our family needs us to be.
Feel like you’re a long way from there?
Me too…me too.
Dad, remember Jesus knows your burdens, your struggles, your disappointments. He knows your weaknesses, the temptations you face, and how difficult being a father can be at every stage of life.
And He still tolerates you. Endures you. Loves you. And He stands ready to give you the strength you need just at the right time.
So when you are about to uncharacteristically slam a door or chuck a water sprayer into the flower bed, pause, take a deep breath and remember you are living in His strength. Not your own.