For Fathers: Our Season of Excuses

image courtesy of Red Letter Ink

We all make excuses for our behavior at times. We didn’t wash the dishes because we were tired. We didn’t go to the meeting because we were busy. We didn’t fulfill the expectations because they were unreasonable.

Most excuses are seasonal in that they don’t work forever. We’re not eternally tired or busy. Not all expectations are unreasonable. Eventually, we have to be the responsible adult in our own life.

Men have a particularly hard time growing past their season of excuses when it comes to fathering.

We can overcome physical trials, endure job related stress and conquer our tendency to shank a golf ball, but our lack of fathering skills is usually countered with excuses rather than determination to do things differently. Things like…

My dad never taught me to…

I’ve always struggled with…

I fear I’ll fail when…

The stakes are to high for us to make peace with our failings as fathers. And the paycheck is so remarkable when we get it right. Why not determine to be a different father in six months by changing our practices, our attitudes and our heart’s orientation right now?

Let this Father’s Day be the end of our season of excuses.

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Randy Bohlender

Married since 1989, Randy and Kelsey have spent their entire adult life in ministry as youth pastors, church planters, pastors, and prayer missionaries. They live in Kansas City, Missouri where, in addition to starting and serving with The Zoe Foundation, they serve as prayer missionaries with the International House of Prayer and on the leadership team of TheCall. They are proud parents to 3 sons and 4 daughters. Randy regularly blogs on ministry, family, and adoption issues. Go check his blog out for a good read.