Dear Friend,

If we’ve learned anything from Jesus, it’s how important a good father is—one who will teach his children how to live with dignity. A couple of definitions of dignity are: The state or quality of being worthy of honor or respect; the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically.

I have seen the difference in the young people who have godly fathers and their constant godly influence and those who don’t. I came from a very messed up, dysfunctional family, and I had very embarrassing moments in my life because of it. I only saw my dad a couple of times. My mom was terrified to be alone and took to drinking for “courage” when he left.

It’s sad, but children who don’t have a godly role model in their life usually have a hard time understanding how to treat people. I’m not saying that a godly, single parent can’t teach good things, but it is harder.

I have a lot to be grateful for. When I adopted Levi, an awesome young man named Darrin said he would be a father to Levi, and he has been. Levi was ten days old when Darrin chose to be his father. I still say that when I got Levi, I got two sons—Levi and Darrin (I’m smiling).

Darrin spends good, quality time with Levi. Darrin’s whole family receives Levi as Darrin’s son. That includes his parents, brother, and sister. Love makes you family, and they love Levi.

Satan has tried so hard to destroy the family unit. That’s why we need to keep praying for our children. If they’re being raised by a single parent, we need to pray that our Lord can send an additional godly influence to help that child and parent. Amen.

In John 8:19, the Pharisees ask Jesus: Where is thy Father? [Then] Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. This is so good. I know we’re in a constant battle for our children because there are so many bad influences out there. However, if we will keep praying for our kids and be godly influences for them, even if they stray for a season, they will return to the Lord just like the prodigal son did.

The prodigal son left home, became worldly, lost everything, and then felt bad for what he had done. It must have been a real shock to him when he returned home and his father received him back wholeheartedly: And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

We must never give up on our children just like our Heavenly Father never gave up on us. Praise God!! Proverbs 22:6 says: Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Amen.

My heart and prayers are that all of our children will hunger and thirst for our Lord Jesus. Amen. We have a faithful and loving Father who will never let go of us.

God bless all of you wonderful dads. Happy Father’s Day!

In His love,

Donner Roberson