It’s almost Father’s Day again. It’s this Sunday , June 19, in case you didn’t know. In recognition of the extreme importance of fathers , here is a little post.

Dear Dad,

Being a father is a blessing! Holding your newborn baby fills you with pride. Playing with your kids and teaching them dad jokes is fun. Walking your daughter down the aisle will spin your heart through an emotional tornado .

But being a father is not all fun and smiles, you have been handed a serious responsibility and your actions will have lasting consequences. The term “daddy issues” was coined for a reason. Maybe you have daddy issues.

Fatherhood has been under attack for a long time. And now the identity and definition of being male in general is being rewritten by those who want women to rule the world. Not a natural, balanced, cooperative effort, but one that says that men are simply wrong in every way.

What do children need? They need a Father and a mother. But fathers have certain natural traits that make them better at being a dad than a mom. And vice versa for moms.

So dad, these are some things that your kids need from you.

• Protection from hunger and danger
• Guidance to grow and learn
• Discipline to develop character
• Affirmation to know that you are in their side
• Security in knowing that you are the adult and you’re in charge
• Play to show that life is good
• Wisdom because you are the adult
• Trust in them and in you
• Example: set a good one!
• Time to do all this with them
• Maturity when times get tough
• Love all the time in every situation and in your words, facial expression, and gentle touch.
• Refrain from using fear or threats to control your children. Help them respect you.

Being a great dad is much easier when you know the Father in heaven , God, and his son Jesus. Galatians 5:16-26 provides a great list for Christian parents. If you live like this, you’ll be a great dad!

[16] But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. [17] For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. [18] But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. [19] Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, [20] idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, [21] envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. [22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. [24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

[25] If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. [26] Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Dads, your kids are watching and listening to everything you say and do. If they hear constant negativity, they won’t feel happy or safe. If they hear constant criticism , they won’t trust themselves. If they hear you say “I can’t.” and you blaming others , they’ll believe that THEY are victims of uncontrollable forces in a bad world. Be strong and teach them that God is with them. Show them that you keep trying and have a positive attitude and faith!

So work on your own obedience and self-control and walk with the Lord, and then use it to love your children. Happy Father’s Day!