What A Man Does

On this Father's Day I've been reflecting on the characteristics that make a great dad. My brother, sister and I have been blessed to have one, and every year at this time we're reminded that it's only by God's grace that we have him with us. So many don't.

You could fill a room with all of the books on the topic of fathering. But I've come to understand, through my dad's example and with what little scriptural study I have under my belt, that God made being a dad just a natural progression of being a man. One must precede the other.

So, what makes a man a man? Here are a few things I'm absolutely convinced of ...

He submits to God no matter what.
He picks himself up, gets moving and presses forward when he falls.
He always checks himself for pride and enlists other men to call him on it.
He makes no excuses.
He works hard.
He courts discipline.
He surrounds himself with men of godly character.
He takes initiative even when he doesn't have all the answers, and he leads.
He loves righteousness and hates evil.
He pursues.
He shows kindness.
He exhibits strength through mercy and self-control.
He makes himself strong spiritually, mentally and physically so he can protect.
He honors the time God has given him and uses it wisely.
He speaks the truth and has a reputation of being a man of his word.
He keeps his promises.
He guards his eyes and his heart, knowing that no man is too strong to fall.
He values and protects his reputation.
He openly honors his beloved and lifts her up in every way, especially in prayer.
He finds his strength and direction from God's Word, and he makes that his priority.
He seeks God for vision and discernment, and he plans for the future.
His measure of integrity doesn't waver when no one is looking.
He forgives and shows grace from a heart that knows how much of both he's received.
He lives a life of gratitude.
He loves freely out of the love he's received from the Father.
He loves and gives sacrificially, imitating Christ as he puts others before himself.