Encourage a Dad Today!

I was the lone female at a men’s conference… a rare opportunity to speak. As I stood at the podium I saw the faces of some men whom I knew, whose wives and kids I also knew.

I was aware of some of the challenges in their homes. Yet as I looked out I saw men who truly wanted to be good husbands and dads. Some had come to their positions as “family men” with very few tools in their tool box for building a firm foundation in their home. Others were sharpening their tools and looking for new ones to add. No one there would ever intentionally hurt his wife or kids; yet they knew they sometimes did. And they needed encouragement.

There are a lot of pressures out there today. We all feel them… and we know a word of encouragement can make all the difference in the world! We all need it.

This Father’s Day look for an opportunity to give encouragement away.

Think of a dad in your life today. Maybe it’s the father of your children, your husband, or your son who is now a dad himself. Maybe it’s your own dad or a brother raising a family just as you are. Think of encouraging him this Father’s Day in a specific way.

Here are some suggestions to encourage a dad in your world using the word LIFE as a guide. Dr. Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, assigned the following acronym.

• L – Labor
  Think of all the things this dad does. Perhaps he works in the yard, tends a garden, works diligently at his job, keeps the car running or fixes what is broken. All dads are different but all put labor of one description or another into the lives of their family. Polish up the value of a specific labor and tell him what it means to the family. The daily grind can be much easier to take with some affirmation of the effort.

• I – Influence
  Remind this dad that he is a great influence on his family. Find a positive way in which you see his influence impacting those around him and tell him. My Dad’s job took him out of town a lot when we were little. My brother recently told Dad that he has been influenced in his own marriage and fathering by Dad’s loyalty to our family. The fact that we never doubted if Dad would come home had a tremendous influence that bore long term effects. Be specific and genuine in affirming just how significant and important his influence is. In the daily grind it is easy to forget we are leaving lasting impressions.  Gentle affirming reminders help to build positive influence.

• F – Finances
  No one has a family budget that works all the time. Finances can be a challenge in any home. Let dad see that his contribution is valued. Many men work long and hard with little thanks. Remember that genuine encouragement given away often returns in the most unexpected manner. It’s not so much about money as it is about pulling together in the same direction. Maybe thank him for the way you can work together making the mortgage payment so the family can have a home, or eating hotdogs when you’d both prefer steak. Be creative and find something to say thank you about in this department.

• E- Expertise
  Every man has knowledge in some particular area. If you have forgotten what this dad excels in, listen and watch. Maybe he is great at math homework with the kids. When you watch and listen you may be surprised at all you forgot he knew. Let him know you notice his knowledge in a particular area.

Begin to consciously affirm the value of his life regularly. The daily grind can take its toll on a soul, but a little sincere encouragement can be like sunshine and water to soften and replenish.

You just may be surprised at the reaction you get, not just from him, but in your own heart as well!

Give the gift of encouragement this Father’s Day!

Take the next step:

Fathers: How do you define yourself?
Dads need support too. If you have a question, ask us. 

2 Responses to “Encourage a Dad Today!”

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• Step-Mother says:

  June 15, 2012 at 4:24 pm

  The world through the judicial system and attorneys and court-ordered mothers insult and reject fathers as parents on a daily basis in this country. They have strategies to drive off 60% of the fathers after divorce. 1500 men per month commit suicide in the world due to the loss of their rights as fathers. This nation, and every developed nation, abuses children through the “no-fault divorce” federally funded machine that makes fathers supporters financially and use false allegations and status quo to prevent them from being fathers and making our children “orphans”. God said to seek out the fatherless. Today, it is not only due to death, but the judicial system that we are filled with orphans. Judges get federal funding by making children fatherless and accumulating child support financially. They create more federal funding by putting parents in jail when they can’t pay child support. The family has been under attack since the 70’s and it’s accepted as “this is what fathers get”. It’s wrong. It’s prejudice. It’s child abuse. How many fathers will not see their children this fathers day or any other – and we just allow it. We allowed this treatment of earthly fathers and now the judicial systems have kicked our Heavenly Father out as well.

• Jamie says:

  June 20, 2012 at 11:27 am

  This sounds like something very close to your heart Step-Mother. How has this kind of treatment impacted fathers in your life?