Through the years, we have different ideas of what our father means to us. Someone has composed the following list, showing the way that our view of Father changes through the years:

4 years: My daddy can do anything.

7 years: My dad knows a lot, a whole lot.

8 years: My father doesn't quite know everything.

12 years: Oh well, naturally Father doesn't know everything.

14 years: Father? Hopelessly old-fashioned.

21 years: Oh, that man is out-of-date. What did you expect?

25 years: He knows a little bit about it but not much.

30 years: Must find out what Dad thinks about it.

35 years: A little patience, let's get Dad's meaning first.

40 years: What would Dad have thought about it?

50 years: My Dad knew literally everything.

60 years: I wish I could talk it over with Dad once more.

Fathers, what an awesome responsibility has been given to us. And even during those years when our children think we are "hopelessly old-fashioned", they are listening to us and learning from us. Much of what our children learn is caught rather than taught - they learn from what they observe. That means we can't afford to cheat on our taxes, lie to our boss, or be rude to a salesperson. Our lifestyle is the greatest lesson we teach.

You are a role model for your children and, like it or not - good or bad - they will, to one degree or another, model their lives after you. You have inherited some of your father's characteristics and your children are inheriting some of yours.

So whether you know it or not (and whether you mean to or not), you are influencing the lives of your children, and your children's children. As I said earlier, what an awesome responsibility has been given to us.  And thank God for the godly fathers who influenced us!

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give you today are
to be upon your hearts.
Impress them on your children.
Talk about them when you sit at home
and when you walk along the road,
when you lie down and when you get up."
(Deut. 6:5-7)