thoughts on father's day

i believe that i have been given a lot. let me explain.

when i think about all the father's in the world that i know, i would say that there is a pretty low percentage of them that i would consider strong, godly, faithful leaders. that being said, let me say that i am amazed and grateful that some of these few are related to me.

growing up, there is one thing that i could say about my dad... and that was that he wanted to please God most of all. that included loving his wife, taking care of his children, faithfully attending church, and loving people. he is a man of the Word and believes that everything we do in life should be based on the Word. trust me, he was not always the popular one, but his values never wavered.

i love that. because as i watch my husband faithfully lead his family to be God-honoring, he also believes that everything we do in life should be based on the Word. see...that never changes. our world, traditions, people's moral beliefs - those change. all the time. God's Word is truth, and it stays the same.

my husband is a man of the Word. he is constantly reading his Bible. he grew up watching his dad read his bible, and now our boys get to watch their dad do the same. he loves and takes care of me, and he is a great role-model for his kids.

you know what else is amazing? his dad is the same way. adam grew up watching his dad love his wife, take care of his kids, attend church faithfully and being a man of the Word. don't even think for a second that i take that lightly. i don't.

believe me, it can be a scary thought to raise boys in this world today. but i know that this heritage of godly men can continue.
the message today was encouraging to me because it reminded me of how my father, father-in-law and husband are doing all of these things:

deuteronomy 6

1. I must take the initiative in life. (it's a personal decision)
2. I must make a life decision. (it's a choice - forever)
3. I must be passionate. (the minimum God expects is total love)

4. I must be intentional in leading. (strong connection between living the word of God and teaching it)

5. I must be on guard and seek to finish well. (there is always a tendency to turn away from God)

6. I must choose my heritage. (no one else can make that choice)

so thank you. thank you to my dad for raising me the way God wanted you to, even when it wasn't the popular choice.

thank you to my father-in-law for raising adam the way God wanted you to, even when it wasn't easy.

and thank you adam for already making hard, unpopular, wise choices to do everything you can to raise godly young men who can change the world for Christ.

and also thank you to grampa vigue, grampy townsend (who is now in heaven) and bic for being yet another generation of godly men who have made the way easier for us.

"the generation of the righteous will be blessed"

yesterday, adam was asking one of our teenagers if they have been tithing. she said

"i've been trying"

to which he quickly replied

"oh good, God will try to bless you"

it was funny, but so true. obedience brings blessings.

do you want your children to be blessed? love God. serve Him. keep Him first. He promises to bless if you do.

the choice is up to you. what are you gonna do?