There is a poem about fathers and how they should set examples. It goes like this;

"A careful man I want to be; a little child is following me. I do not dare to go astray, for fear they'll go the self same way. I cannot escape their watchful eyes, whatever they see me do, they try. Like me they say they're going to be the little child that follows me. They think that I am good and fine, believes in every word of mine. The bad in me they must not see. My life to them an example be. I must remember, as I go through summer's sun and winter snow, I'm building for the years to be, for that little child that follows me."

God is the Father and He set before us His example in which to follow so that we can all lead a successful life. God also gave us each our own father on earth who is to show us the same attributes that our heavenly Father wants us to follow. When an earthly dad fails to know what God expects of him, he then leaves his own children without that knowledge and this begins the cycle of generational curses. In order to eliminate this, an earthly father should be a follower of God and pass this knowledge on to his own children.

I'm so thankful that my own father was such a man. He was a man after God's own heart. As a child I remember his great faith in the Lord. We never had much in the way of material things. My dad didn't set his worldly status as a main priority. It was his goal to provide for his family and to be a faithful husband. Having three daughters, he set an example for all of us to know how a man should treat a wife. He had nothing but love and respect for my mother. My father is no longer among us, but his legacy lives on through the morals I taught to my own sons. May the circle be unbroken! Thank you daddy!!!

Being a father is first being the child. A bond forms between a father and his children. Just as our heavenly Father wishes to have a close, personal relationship with us, so an earthly father must also have the same relationship with his own children. It's a matter of giving and receiving. This kind of godly relationship will always turn out successful for future generations.

"Children, obey your parents in the Lord (as His representatives), for this is just and right." Eph. 6:1 (Amplified)

In other words, a father (and mother) must represent God to their own children. A father and mother is who a child imitates and who better than to imitate God? When this is not observed, families will self destruct in the ways of the world, as Satan has intended. So, father's take heed, it's your role to expect obedient children through respect. It's not about making deals with them so they will like you. It's showing them who is in control and they will respect you for it. Respect can not come with overbearance. It's done with tender, loving care.

"Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger (do not exasperate them to resentment), but rear them (tenderly) in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord." Eph. 6:4 (Amplified)

Fathers, when you know the Word of God, it will become apparent how to tenderly rear your offspring. God is a gentle Father also, who has lots of patience with His own disobedient children, but He is always around and keeps us in His protection. He will let us fall down from time to time, but because He is gentle and loving, we are naturally drawn back to Him and wish to please Him by being obedient. It's like that saying, "you can attract more flies with honey than you can with vinegar." God attracts us with His sweet and gentle nature and lets us see our mistakes for our selves. He corrects us with wisdom, not force. It's human nature to pull away and become stubborn when we are being forced into something. God knows this and that's why He gently corrects us and draws us in with bands of love. His Word sets the examples that all earthly fathers are to follow. Be gentle, kind and tender in child rearing.

"Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother~this is the first commandment with a promise. That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth." Eph. 6:2-3 (Amplified)

Honor is something that no one can force us to do. It's something we want to do. Honor is the best thing we can show to others. Honor is deserved, not demanded. God deserves all our honor but He lets us make our own choices. If we don't show Him honor, we will not reap the promises He gave us, and this is how He set up the world system in order that we may succeed. Notice, this is the only commandment with a promise attached to it. It's everyone's goal to live a long, healthy life! Here's the way to get it. This world is always searching for remedies and the fountain of youth, these are superficial. God's Word is real.

So fathers, just like this poem, remember you are setting an example for your children to follow. If you're not showing them examples of God's attributes, your legacy will not live on with them. After all, your legacy is the most important factor you can give your children. If you haven't developed good examples in your child's life, start by taking them to church, not just sending them. What they see, they will also do! It's natural to assume that what goes around, comes around. What do you want to come around in your children's lives?

Children are the future. So this father's day, remember all eyes are upon you. Show your children the love of God that's in your heart.

The true measure of a person is what's in the heart.