“Dad, do you love me?”

Boom. Lump in the throat.

“I love you more than you can imagine, buddy.”

I probably tell my son I love him about 25 times a day. It’s a part of my language. It’s a part of our relationship. And still, he asks for more. He loves to hear it. But, we as men, love to hear it.

There is a calming sense of knowing you’re loved, despite circumstances and decisions. God has created fatherhood to be important. “I love you” from a father can give us peace and confidence; it keeps us from worrying.

“Does it run out if I mess up?”

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! 1 John 3:1

We get a sense of how important this concept is from our earthly Father. If you have a great relationship with your father, you know how much it has impacted you. If your relationship with your father is non-existent or strained, you know how deep the wounds go.
This Father’s day, remember, you have a heavenly Father who tells you, “I love you more than you can imagine. No matter what you do, no matter where you’ve been.” And when we understand that, it makes us want to run to Him, not away.

For us dads, our words carry so much weight, capable of driving home the message of intrinsic love and value. Let’s use this day to re-engage or continue our daily decision to love. For those who aren’t yet dads, never had children or have lost children, you can make an incredible impact on the people around you. My story has victory now because a man leaned in when I was young and needed guidance and used phrases like, “you matter.”

This Sunday, we’ll talk about how we can all play a role in instilling confidence and value in the next generation. Join us as Caleb gives us a perspective on leaving a legacy that will be encouraging, no matter what your story is!

Graeme Cowgill

PS: Listen to recent messages here.
PPS: Give to Mariners HB or our Step In Building campaign here.