GRANDPAUSE:
When you pray, think of God both ways: as Father and as Daddy.
Honor and emotion are a child’s responsibility and privilege.
–David Jeremiah

I remember growing up watching the popular TV series called Father Knows Best on our black and white TV. As a child I loved that program. People today roll their eyes at what they perceive to be an idyllic illusion about real families. I guess they’re entitled to their opinions, but it didn’t feel that way to me. In fact, it seemed natural—like what a family should be. Here was a father who didn’t always get it right, but he tried, and his family respected and honored him.

Maybe I liked it because I grew up with an amazing father. My father led by the example of a life that matched his words. He modeled integrity, faithfulness, and wholehearted faith. I counted it an honor to work side by side with him in the family business for a few years. When I decided to leave the business

and head off to seminary instead, he freely gave me his blessing and support for that decision, even though I knew he was disappointed his son wouldn’t be there to take over the business.

I know there are far too many kids today growing up without a father or grandfather as a good role model. Many others don’t have a father in their life at all. We kid ourselves if we think that a child deprived of a father has the same advantages as a child growing up with a loving father and mother in the home. Seventy six percent of the men in our prison system come from fatherless homes. Maybe there really is something to the idea that ‘fathers know best.’

It certainly reinforces the fact that as grandfathers we have a vital role to play to both support and partner with our sons to help them be the best fathers possible. If our grandchildren are growing up without a father in the home or a father who doesn’t get it, our responsibility is even more crucial to provide that role model.

I am grateful for a godly father in my life. I also get very excited when I see godly fathers and grandfathers working together as conduits of God’s grace and love for their families. Godly fathers and grandfathers understand what fatherhood is all about because they have an intimate relationship with the Father of all fathers—our heavenly Father who really does know best.

May God fill each of you fathers and grandfathers will wisdom, courage, love and wholehearted devotion to God that you might be an example of honor, godliness and grace to your children and your children’s children. May you walk in wisdom and Christ-like stature so that they can truly say, “Father knows best.”