Faithful Fathers
Don Wildmon is the founder of American Family Association. His son Tim and grandson Wesley run the ministry today. In the June 2018 AFA Journal, there’s an encouraging story about how Tim learned to be a father to his children because he had a Godly example. He says the number one thing that affected his attitude was the way his father treated his mother.
God’s ideal plan for families in raising their children is by Godly example.
But wait. I know so many men who never had the privilege or opportunity to be nurtured by a Christian father. They only saw drunkenness, heard foul language, or witnessed abuse in their homes. And they grew up with bitterness and hate. What about those guys? Does God still loves them?
Let me tell you about one such person. A real live example. His father beat and abused his mother then left his mom and five siblings when he was twelve. Left them to fend for themselves, financially in trouble. Abandoned.
This young man hurt but as a young adult found a “friend.” Alcohol. This “friend” soothed his bitter feelings for years. But this “friend” was fickle. The next morning, the hurt and pain always returned with a vengeance, and he had to imbibe all over again.
But, the story doesn’t end there. Eventually, this man discovered another Father. The Lord God. It didn’t happen overnight, but eventually God showed him who He was. How much He loved him.
Today, this man has no more need to numb the pain of rejection from his earthly father because he’s found another Dad. Hallelujah.
I praise God for the Wildmon family, but if you grew up without that example, take heart.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.” John 15:9
“Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever. Psalm 136:26
“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love, he will exult over you with loud singing.” Zephaniah 3:17