This year, I experienced the joy of welcoming our seventh grandchild into the world. Lucas is the second son of my youngest son. While visiting their home, I was deeply moved watching my son with his two boys. Smiling, I said to myself, “My boy has two boys.”
Later that evening, as I sat alone and the day began to fade, I found myself pondering a familiar question many parents eventually ask: “Did I do all I could to be a good dad?” It’s a question that often leads to self-criticism. But the truth is, we can’t turn back the clock. At some point, I realized that if my son is a good father, maybe I did all right after all.
I often tell new dads, “You are the only man on earth that your new baby should be able to totally trust and count on to be there for as long as you live.” I rarely get the sobering response I expect, but I believe that when their child truly needs them, those words will take on deeper meaning.
Fatherhood is both a wonderful experience and a staggering responsibility. A wise father builds his role on a firm foundation. But where can a father turn when he needs the right words for a child who is scared, confused, or hurting? God’s Word never fails us when we’re searching for answers to life’s most important questions.
We all know the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. In this powerful picture of fatherhood, we find two essential lessons during a moment of crisis. First, a father’s love should never grow cold. Even when a child strays—at any age—love must remain. Second, a father must have a spirit of forgiveness. Luke 15 shows us what that looks like:
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.” (Luke 15:20–24, NIV)
The father was so overwhelmed with joy at his son’s return that he didn’t focus on the rebellion—he simply celebrated the homecoming. I imagine there were some serious father-son conversations after the party, but at that moment, nothing could dampen his joy. And just as the angels rejoice when one sinner comes home, so do fathers when their children return to them.
The weight of fatherhood begins the moment a man holds his child for the first time. Few things in life compare to the joy—and the responsibility—that follows. My encouragement to all fathers is this: Stay grounded in God’s Word. Model His teachings. Love and accept your children for who God created them to be. Like you, they are made in His image.
As you celebrate Father’s Day, take a moment to pause, exhale, and thank God for the miracle that is your child.
At Crossroads Prison Ministries, we hear story after story of fathers behind bars who are finding restoration—both with God and with their children—through the truth of God’s Word. If you want to be part of offering that same hope to incarcerated fathers and families, I invite you to learn more about Crossroads’ ministry and join us in the work of transformation.
This reflection was written by Joe Pryor, President/CEO of Crossroads Prison Ministries.