During the course of one week, I had the opportunity to twice witness father-and-son interactions that reminded me of the importance of godly men. 

The first encounter took place at a retail establishment when a father and son approached the exit door at the same time as I did. I gestured for the son to follow his father out of the store, but the father instructed his son to “let the lady go first.” The son stood still, respectfully obeying his father’s directive. It struck me that here was a father teaching his son, by example, how to be a gentleman. “Thank you,” I said, before leaving the store.

A similar situation occurred days later. As I was exiting a movie theater, I came upon a man and a young boy. The two exchanged glances as I approached and the man motioned for me to exit. The boy politely waited to leave before he launched into an enthusiastic conversation with the man about the movie.

Allow me to note these interactions occurred with men from different ethnic backgrounds. In a cultural climate where much energy is spent criticizing people who are different from us, these men demonstrated the powerful, positive influence of loving fathers in action. I pondered how many of today’s problems would be averted if every father made the effort to train his child in this way. 

Children need committed fathers who are willing to devote themselves to their children’s training. Their children will, in turn, train their children in ways that only committed men can do. This is how family values cut across generations. I have no doubt the men mentioned above will support their sons in training their future children to be respectable men and leaders. 

Raising sons and daughters is a challenge, and the best of men out there are giving it their best. I observe how men interact with their children. It is heartening to see fathers of young children, boys and girls, patiently listening, giving a gentle hug, or carefully explaining something to them. It is equally heartwarming to observe them sharing favorite hobbies and teaching life skills to their teenagers. They are modeling the behaviors and principles we hope all fathers will encourage in future generations.

My siblings and I were blessed to have a father who taught us in similar fashion. We learned how to live in harmony with one another and are actively passing these same lessons down to the third and fourth generations. 

Here are some things I learned from life about the value of a good father:

• Fathers deserve our respect. For too many years, our culture has relegated men to the unnecessary heap in regard to families. That is not God’s plan. As we can see in our culture, the idea that fathers are not needed to raise children simply does not work. 
• Many good fathers are giving their all to raise their children to be respectable gentlemen and ladies. I thank these fathers for the good work they are doing. Children need to see their fathers and grandfathers being honored for fulfilling their role as family leaders.
• Families matter. I believe it is time to encourage young men and women to marry and commit to each other in the Lord before they have children. 
• Transparency counts. That means being willing to share our life experiences with them, including how God helped us through the tough times.

This brings up another point. As wonderful as it is to have a loving earthly father, we have another father whose love for us is beyond compare. 

“See how very much our heavenly Father loves us, for he allows us to be called his children
—think of it—
and we really are!
But since most people don’t know God,
naturally they don’t understand that we are his children” (1 John 3:1 NLT).

Even those who grew up under less than ideal circumstances can be encouraged by this.  Whether you are a father, grandfather, or another man who has influence over a child, the greatest blessing you can give them is an introduction to the Lord and support in their walk with God. Without a doubt, this is the greatest blessing any man can bestow on a child.