As part of a church program, Ben was asked some questions about his family and a few interesting things about himself. At one point in the program, he was asked the question, “Who is your hero?” Without hesitation he boldly proclaimed, “My Dad!”

Kudos to this father who apparently played out his role well…at least in his son’s eyes. As a grandfather I want to be that hero in the eyes of my grandchildren as well, don’t you? The importance of fathers and grandfathers in the lives children can never be overstated. Our prisons are full of men who never had a father figure in their lives, let alone a worthy figure they could identify as a real hero in their lives. According to Prison Fellowship, seventy percent of juveniles in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes. Research indicates that boys who grow up in homes without fathers are twice as likely to end up in jail as those who come from traditional two-parent families (father and mothers). How different things might be in our world if more fathers were truly fathers and heroes to our sons. That makes the call for godly grandfathers an urgent call for our time.

Tragically, because of the lack of true heroes in American homes, many young people today have embraced a new kind of hero. This new ‘hero’ has no interest in self-sacrifice or laying aside their own agendas for the interest of others. Quite the opposite is true. Celebrities are the new heroes, but they possess little heroism. In fact, the more vulgar, uncouth and dubious of character these new heroes present themselves, the more popular and heroic they seem to become. The loss of godly heroes in the home has created a vacuum in which all manner of non-heroic heroes and heroines rush in to fill the void.

Today is Father’s Day. I want to salute all the truly heroic fathers and grandfathers out there. You are the men of character who like the apostle Paul can say to your children and grandchildren without hesitation, “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put into practice” (Phil. 3:9). Your lives make Christ look great and your children and grandchildren will rise up and call you blessed. You are the real heroes! May God grant you the grace to remain steadfast in character and resolute in personal integrity. May there be no doubt among your children and grandchildren of your hero status in their eyes. I can think of few things that represent a greater honor.

To all you dads and granddads who are viewed as heroes by your children and grandchildren, let there be no doubt that you rank among all the great heroes of the past. This is true not because you are perfect, but because you are clothed in the righteousness of Christ, and you are prepared to lay down your life for your family as Christ laid down His life for the church. May God bless our homes more heroes like you so our sons and daughters will know the truth and walk in it.

Happy Father’s Day to all you heroes!