#1 Dad

Father’s Day: The day we celebrate the dads in our lives, whether our own dad, grandpa, dad of our kids, a father-in-law, or a father figure in our life. Last year on Father’s Day one of my kids’ crafts at church was a coloring page that said, “#1 Dad.” Every kid in that class made one. That’s a lot of #1 Dads! If you were on social media at all on Father’s Day, you were most likely overwhelmed by the number of ‘best dads’ in your friends’ and acquaintances’ lives. All of this ranking and naming of best dads in the world made me reflect on what really makes the best dad (or parent).

When we tout the qualities of dads and parents in general, we usually see things like loving, protective, provider, fun, always there for us, and the list goes on. However, when it really comes down to it, how do we really measure the quality of parents? As a parent myself, I tend to look at how my kids are turning out. Are they getting good grades? Are they using their manners? Are they showing gratitude? Did they accept Jesus’ forgiveness for their sins? I must be doing something right. Did they just get caught lying? Did they cheat? Is one is the ‘bad’ kid of the group? I must be a failure as a parent.

If we use the behavior of our kids to determine our success in parenting, then we are all going to miss the mark. God has called us His children. He is the Father of all, and if we use our own scale of ‘how did the kids turn out,’ we will see that He doesn’t measure up. How many of us are not perfect children? We all rebel against our Heavenly Father and fall short (Romans 3:23). Does that make Him a bad father? No! He is our Abba, our loving Father. He has given us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17), including forgiveness.

As we use God as our example of how to parent our kids, we will see love. He is loving above all. Everything He has done for us comes out of love. He blesses us, disciplines us, and guides us with love. That is the measure of a good parent. When you are wondering if you’re making the right choices whether it is in your own life or for your kids, remember that you have an Abba (Daddy) Father who you can turn to. He is truly the #1 Dad.

Jen Chang

loveSTRONG ministries

Executive Director

www.lovestrongministries.com

Our Reflection

I know I’m not alone when I say that I often look in the mirror and all I see are imperfections that are not Hollywood acceptable. We’ve been told to stop comparing ourselves - it’s the media - they pay to look like that. In reality the world has invaded our minds and as women it is hard not to wish we look like “her!”

In the last six months I’ve been fighting with the decision of what weight loss program I should try by asking myself which one will help me lose the most weight and how I can justify the expense to my husband. Friends of mine were doing them so, of course, I had to join in. Then, I realized I don’t have to do it too. While comparing myself I was feeling like a failure not losing weight as fast as others and it was breaking me inside. After I fought this mind game for about 2 months I decided I would just change my diet and begin working out at home. Bam! That was the answer. Or so I thought. One morning I came across a devotional that spoke of not being perfect anymore. That devotional was focused on our images and what we see vs. what God sees. In Psalms 139:14(NKJV) it says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.” After reading that I realized I was going about this weight loss thing all wrong. I prayed and refocused. Keeping my healthy eating routine, I simply work out and take care of my body for God rather than the world and it has given me energy, confidence and less inches! Feeling defeated, I put God first and prayed for help to take care of my body the way HE wants me to. Now I don’t feel the pressure from everyone and I look in the mirror and see myself the way God sees me - not how I wanted to see me.

Ladies, comparing ourselves with the world will destroy us! It will take away our confidence, our beauty, and all of our energy. Focus on lifting yourself up each morning by asking God to help you see yourself as He sees you. YOU are beautiful just as you are!

Chrissy Shero

loveSTRONG ministries

Executive Leader

www.lovestrongministries.com