6/25/2026
"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 'Honor your father and mother,'
which is the first commandment with promise: 'that it may be well with you
and you may live long on the earth.' And you, fathers,
do not provoke your children to wrath, but
bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."
Ephesians 6:1-4
Growing up in the South I learned very early about the role fathers play in the household, but I also witnessed the reverse. My daddy passed away in 2012, and there's not a day I don't miss him. When we moved away in 1987 across the nation from Virginia to New Mexico, our entire family life changed. In Biblical history when God told Abraham (then Abram) to leave his family and move to an unknown destination, Sarah (then Sarai) his wife, followed him. That's the way God planned things, the wife cleaves to her husband, not her parents. Of course it helps when God directs us to follow His commands, not our own, as the consequences can be devastating, as I learned. Those years have passed, but there's not a day I don't wonder what could have been had my husband listened to God when He said, "It is not yet time...!
Many people talk badly about their childhood and how strict their fathers were growing up, and although I had some rough times, I am so grateful that my dad taught me how to survive in those difficult times. His mother died when he was very young, so he was raised by three older sisters and his dad. I don't know anything about my daddy's dad, as he died before I was born, but my daddy was always very attentive to his three sisters. He also was very kind and compassionate to a man who lived in the woods whom everyone said was crazy and had poor hygiene. I remember daddy picking him up when he saw him walking or hitchhiking, but he warned us not to let him into the house if he wasn't home. My daddy could be hard towards us, but seeing how gentle he was to this lonely man blessed my heart, and I do believe that his desire to help others effected my life.
My maternal grandparents loved me well, as they did all their grandchildren. My mother was the second oldest of eight children, so she had to learn to tend to younger siblings at an early age. My grandfather, Papa, was always taking us places at the drop of a hat. He loved to drive through the countryside and look at crops and animals. He loved historical places, so we took many spur of the moment trips to Jamestown or Williamsburg. He also spoiled us with ice cream from High's Ice Cream Store on Washington Street. My daddy worked evenings, so he never took my brother fishing, but Papa did. Our generation's fathers worked hard, and they taught those values and work ethics to their sons and daughters. Men learned to take care of their wives and wives to respect them, and daughters learned to take care of children and the home. On Sundays, the men and children always ate first, then women would eat last. It was the way it was back then. Sundays were spent in church, then lunch at my grandparent's home. I don't remember any harsh words, and the children played outside on sunny days and upstairs on rainy ones. I loved being outside, playing in the woods, climbing trees, pretending, riding my "stick horse." Life was simple, and we had fun.
I read an article this week about children growing up in Israel who have lost their parents in this long war. Many are too young to really know who their fathers were, because those in the military die while defending the country. Their children know that their fathers were heroes, and they know the positions they served in, but "who" were they really. Did they love sports, what kind of games did they play, or how did they spent Shabbat with the family? Imagine the trauma faced by a child who has witnessed the senseless slaughter of their fathers right before their eyes. But this is not isolated to Israel, but many places in our world by violence and lawlessness runs rampant while government seems to look the other way. Some children grow up with much pent up anger, frustration, mental anguish, and hatred. If we could just for one moment stop and consider why someone behaves as they do, then maybe we would be better able and equipped to turn hearts to Christ and find healing.
Pastor Greg from Harvest Church shared about his life extensively, because he wanted men to know that even if they never had a father, or they had one who was cruel or absent, that it does not have to define who they become. But many are negatively affected, and many end up in jail or mixing with wrong company, or they may even commit suicide. But even if there is not a father in the home, there are other men who can step up and be a companion or guide to vulnerable children. Growing up I had many father figures, because my grandparents and parents took us to visit family and friends from church and the community, so I saw many godly examples. Life was different growing up in the 50's and 60's. Perhaps not perfect, but I choose to remember the good things. I pray that somehow I was able to instill in my children the importance of family, but some days I do not see that. The company we choose to keep plays a huge part in our lives, for good or bad. Who we choose to listen to is having a negative impact on many, but at the same time many young men from Gen Z are running to Christ, buying Bibles, desirous of knowing the truth and living a life with purpose.
Many times we hear about the negative impact of culture on the young people of today, but recently there have been many reports of the opposite. Mario Murillo just held a tent revival service in Stockton, California that lasted 52 days, and most present in that huge tent that seats 8,000 were young people who rushed forward when the altar call was given. On subsequent evenings they returned bringing others with them. Many of those attending were delivered from drugs and other addictions. Not long ago, Mario reported that each revival he has to purchase a larger tent, usually double in size. He continues to hold revivals wherever God leads, and in each city he holds conferences for pastors and street ministry to introduce pastors and volunteers to the people in the area. God has been moving in California and across this nation.
Since Charlie Kirk's death Turning Point USA has not stopped, and it has continued to grow with new connections at colleges and high school campuses. In spite of protests and obstacles and outright rage and hatred shown to the young people at Turning Point, they continue to press forward. What the enemy meant for evil God most assuredly has turned for good.
As believers and followers of Jesus Christ we have a mandate to go and make disciples of all men, women, and children, and in spite of what may not have been a perfect upbringing, just like Pastor Greg shared, God can do mighty things in a person's life. As the church we need to be prepared to disciple the new converts. As we celebrate our 250th anniversary of America, our greatest goal is revival and reformation. Now is the time for fathers to be leaders in their homes, churches, businesses, and in our government teaching our children to live as Jesus lived, honoring our Father who is in Heaven. We need to make this One Nation Under God as our President is trying to do.Thy will be done, Holy Father, on earth as it is in Heaven in our personal lives and in this nation and world.
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