Lesson 7: You never get it all right—being a good dad and husband.

In a way, I wish I could end this message differently. It’s important for me to acknowledge what I don’t always want to, and that is you and I never can say we’ve arrived in this life. That’s why we need prayer. Oh, we come to significant plateaus, places of manifest growth and maturity. But the reality is we are dynamic human beings, not static. Our environment constantly is changing. We are in a constant developmental process of responding to the changes in our environment. Our children and spouses are continually changing, also.

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The other day, one of my covenant brothers was describing how, through the years, he has worked so hard to take care of his children. He talked about a time in his life when he realized his mother was at a stage of life where he had to take care of her. Now he’s realizing that something is shifting in relation to his children, because one son with his family came out to visit from back East and said, “Dad, usually we borrow the car and head off to Disneyland, the beach, and all other kinds of activities. This time we’re here simply to help you and Mom around the house, in the garden, and cook some of your favorite food.” The reality is we are in process, are we not?

I’d like to say I’ve finally come to the place where I’ve got it all together as a father and as a husband, but if I read the Bible correctly, if I understand a spiritual principle, that spiritual principle is: There is the act of regeneration as we repent of sin and put our trust in Jesus Christ. Then, there is the process of sanctification, in which we grow toward wholeness in Jesus Christ, as the Holy Spirit is operative in our lives.

Part of both this regeneration and sanctification is our need for God’s grace, His unmerited favor, His forgiveness and the capacity not only to be forgiven but also to forgive others.

I’ve learned that, when I function at my very best, I’m a person who realizes how important I am, but also how needy I continue to be. As one who would like to see myself as strong, the longer I live the more aware I am of my weakness. And that’s okay.

That’s okay, because when I face up to the fact that I haven’t gotten it all right as a dad and as a husband, it doesn’t mean I’m going to throw in the towel and declare myself a failure. Instead, it helps me understand my humanity. I’m learning to quote those words the Apostle Paul quoted of our Lord, who said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). So, having reminded himself of this promise from God, he Himself declares, “So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” We all need this grace, don’t we? Thank God it is available to us all at whatever stage of life we may be! Let’s claim it on a daily basis and get on with being the parent and spouse God would free us to be!

Copyright© 2007, Dr. John A. Huffman, Jr.  All rights reserved.