A father is a man who knows his life is not his own.
A father is a man whose identity is formed by what God has called him to be.
A father first and foremost protects, nurtures and loves.
A father’s love is dominated by how he shows the beauty of Christ to his wife.
A father’s love for his children is strengthened by his love for his wife.
A father nourishes rather than punishes.
A father defines sacrificial love for his family.
A father knows the captivating power of a gentle, confident spirit.
A father persuades through pleasant words and firm allegiance to truth.
A father knows that love and discipline must not be separated.
A father leads his children to the cross and not to his own honor.
A father does not demand respect but draws it out from the consistency of his integrity.
A father is distinguished by his faithful repentance.
A father knows the power of humility.
A father is peaceable and open to reason.
A father loves God more than he loves his wife and children.
A father is known by his praise of God rather than by his complaints about circumstances.
A father is dependent upon the grace of the gospel to do what he cannot do by himself.
A father is a man of prayer rather than a man of anger.
A father knows his authority comes from God and not from his performance.
A father is blown away by his heavenly Father.
Now read this: Are you parenting with eternity in mind?
This post originally appeared on the Shepherd Press and was republished with permission.
Jay Younts is the author of Everyday Talk, Everyday Talk About Sex & Marriage, and he is the Shepherd Press blogger. He is a ruling elder at Redeemer Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Moore, South Carolina. He and his late wife Ruth have five adult children.
