Being Daddy Pt.2 "What Song?"

There really isn't an instruction book to being a Father. Oh I know the Bible and many great books have been written but a step by step manual there is not. I was thinking about what Henry David Thoreau said ""Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them." I thought about this and what that means for my children. How can I as daddy help see that the song in their heart doesn't go unsung?
So many times as parents we confuse activity with purpose. What I mean is lots of after school sports and activities is great ...but how does all that tie-in with the purpose or deep dreams within them? Don't stop letting them experience extracurricular events, they're important for many reasons we won't get into here, But, I want to make sure they always dream beyond what they can see just in front of them.

Did you ever imagine being something as a child and have an adult that you trusted shoot down the idea as silly? That is exactly what crushes dreams ...or buries the song deep inside us and we're too ashamed to discuss it because others might see it as unreachable or sad.
I challenge you dads, never ever tell your kids they can't achieve their dreams. Almost as bad as telling them that they're silly is being so busy that you don't listen to them and really hear what they are conveying. Put down the ipad or turn off the TV.
Show them you believe in them ...don't just say the words.

Eldredge says "The Glory of God is man fully alive".
So how can I as daddy help them lead lives fully alive? Live, dream, believe.
Trust the Father of all of us is singing over us.
That's the song in our hearts ...don't let it stay deep within.

Show your kids how to sing it ...by living your life fully alive.

Being "Daddy"

I've thought a lot this week about what my greatest focus has been regarding my kids the past 3 years or so. For reasons I won't re-hash here it's something that I needed to actually "decide" awhile ago due to circumstances of life.
One word that resonated with me was "stability". Sure several other concepts for focus I thought about. But this one was the one that rose to the surface in my heart.
See whether you are a married dad or single one, this should be one of the highest priorities on your list. So what does that mean? Stability?
Maybe it means for you that as a dad you strive to keep roots down in your particular town and same school system, etc.
For me though it was much less "material related". Follow me here for a minute.
Stability meant the actions I had in responding to the negative circumstances around me. Why? Cause little eyes are watching. And how I responded was as important as anything else.
Did I always get it right? Nope. Still don't.
But, my heart knew I must take my call as a dad serious enough that I would run things through the constant filter of "what's best for them". Not what I want.
Now you say that seems pretty simple. Or maybe you think it's just being an adult.
Our society is full of dad's who don't choose anything close to stability for their kids.
Stability means... Unconditional love, integrity in the face of lies, the respect they see me show the women that interact in their lives, and setting aside personal goals for their greater good.
A more fulfilling life journey it has created for me ...honestly.

Stability leads to parenting kids that actually listen and do what's right ...because they see that example in we as dads.
Having kids that listen to you means you must first have kids that connect with you! Be fun, inspire them, believe in them, and point them to Jesus.
Stability for our kids isn't just about providing material needs. It's the life you lead in front of them that so loudly preaches the greatest sermon.