Who was your father? What kind of man and father was he?

Was he loving, present, encouraging and able to express emotion? Or was he hard, harsh, stoic and a live wire – at best, unpredictable?

Maybe he was not even there at all?

How has this shaped your life?

The memories I have of my father are brought back by those subtle moments that repeat and echo in most of who I am today and what I do: Listening to that small snotty, runny nose boy as intently as I do the business executive. Tucking in and praying over my girls every night am home. Going through the house, drawing the drapes, closing the windows and turning off the lights, heaters and gas. A predictable night routine.

My father was a man’s man; tougher than nails. He was lean, extremely intelligent and very perceptive. I can still see him work the wrenches fixing broken pipes; no, anything that needed fixing. That’s where the road divides for me and him. In place of a wrench, I have a phone number!

I saw my dad choose to take the high road; allowing to be cheated rather than cheat. He was a passionate man who told his kids every chance he got how much he loved them. He made breakfast for the family well into his 70’s. And that in a generation of men who would never be caught being yellow-belly “sissy’s.” He was the quintessential gentleman.

My dad was far from perfect, but am thankful that I had him to lead me on the path to true manhood. And fatherhood. That’s an uncommon privilege in our day. Many men I know are only starting out as the pioneers in their family lineages.

Show me a broken home. Show me a broken society. Show me a broken country. And I will show you a broken, unfathered man. As the man, so goes the world.

Will you commit to encourage that man in your house to be all that he has been called to be?

And to you brother, will you step up to the plate and be counted in your generation? You see, you will only attain the heights of true manhood (and fatherhood) when you plumb the depths in your search for the truth of Father God.