“60 percent of the people in prison grew up in a home without their father.”

A thought by George Barna (2011-05-15) in his book, Futurecast: What Today's Trends Mean for Tomorrow's World (Kindle Location 694). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition.

That is an astounding statistic that shows the importance of a male influence in the lives of children.  Now I see that in my own life.  My father was my hero and my example.  I am who I am because of his influence.  He built so much into my life.

I remember the day that he was killed.  I was an Associate Pastor of a great church but I had gotten a little off track in my priorities.  I was gone most of the time from my family.  My wife and son and daughter were not as important as they should have been but my dad’s death stopped me in my tracks and I started setting my priorities straight.  My dad influenced me even through his death. 

Now the “sexual revolution” has really messed up the potential of other men stepping up and being a positive influence in the lives of young children who have no dads at home.  The abuses of children by men in authority have not only hurt those kids but also other kids because of their distrust of good men who want to be positive influences to them. 

Somehow we fathers need to realize the importance of our influences on our children.  Giving them a house to live in and food to eat is only a part of our task.  Our children need a home where the parents love each other, where they are cared about and where their emotional, spiritual and physical needs are of the highest priority.  They need a home that is a sanctuary from the difficulties of life.

That is what I had.  That was one of the greatest privileges that I have had in my life.  It has also led to one of my greatest responsibilities, to be the best father that I could ever be.

So what about you?