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Heart of Fathering

4/25/2013

 
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Psalm 127:3-4 “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth”.  The hand of the Lord has done beyond our capacity to  imagine (Eph 3:20) in my family and that wonder ignites the continual mystery of walking with Him. The heart of fathering was never meant to be easy, rather to be fully dependent on the ultimate Abba Father who gives grace, wisdom, direction and victory through His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.



Disclaimer:
Dads, if you’re looking for perfection this post is not for you.

Dads, if you’re looking for a formula this post is not for you.

Dads, if you’re looking to be encouraged, inspired and mentored then this post is for you.

In two weeks, one of my earnest prayers for my family will unfold. I am struck with a fresh awe for the faithfulness of God as I reflect on each of my daughters. You see, in about two weeks, our family will be celebrating so many milestones all in one weekend. Looking back, I cannot begin to express my gratitude to God for calling us to homeschool years ago. God used our eleven years of homeschooling to lay solid foundation for the faith of our children. During those years, our family developed lifelong friendships that have blessed us as we watch our children blossom into young adults.  Our main focus during our home schooling years was to pass on a legacy of faith in Christ Jesus, to lead and shepherd our daughters’ hearts; since we knew they were all academically gifted. God answered our prayers more than we could ever imagine for each of them.

In 2002, I wrote an article for the Texas Homeschool Coalition (if you’re planning on homeschooling, then you want to definitely connect with THSC). That was then, fast forward to now:  I am unglued by the goodness of God just thinking about each of my daughters. My wife and I have been tremendously blessed to witness the contagious faith in Jesus Christ of each of our daughters.  Their fire brand faith demolishing the kingdom of darkness daily through their stand, choices, and their lifestyles is nothing short of the hand of God. Lola is now 22 years old and will earn her masters degree in Strategic Communications from UNT in two weeks (Digital Portfolio). Lola is beginning her doctoral program this summer at the same institution. Layo is now 20 years old and in two weeks she will earn double major bachelors degree from Rice University in Biological Studies and French Studies in addition to been on her way to medical school and conducting research (Simple Chara) .Lade who is now 18 years old will complete her sophomore year at SMU on her way to graduate in 2015 with both Bachelor in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics and Masters in System Engineering (SMU Adventures) . In two weeks, Lade is off to Bali and China for a second leg of summer internship abroad as a Boren scholar. To God be all the glory for all He has done in their lives and will continue to do.

In reality there is absolutely no how each of our beautiful daughters could be who they are today, without the love, dedication and sacrifice of my beautiful wife, Feyi. She is my exquisite Queen, my Good Thing, Love of my Life, Best Friend, Sister, Confidant, Co-Laborer, and my Sunshine. Not only did she teach our daughters but she lives daily the victorious life so they can catch what the ransomed life in Christ is all about. One would think my Queen will retire by now during our empty nest season. Rather she is following all God is calling her to and using her gifts to make a difference in the world of education (Eduflections). 

As I reflect on the upcoming celebrations; I am reminded of three things that I believe God has used to breathe upon my family during our parenting journey. I share these things, not as one that has all the answers or attained, but as a father that is pressing on, that has proven God and seen His supernatural unleashed. My fervent prayer is that some or all of these things will encourage someone in their parenting journey and efforts to pursue and nurture a Godly family.

Prayer:  Do not falter or slack with your family altar, keep the fire of prayer burning in your home. It is said that the family that prays together, stays together. Pray for your children daily. Pray with them every opportunity you get. Let them pray for you at any opportunity you have. As they grow older, it might be difficult getting everyone together, still pray with children at home. When my daughters went off to college, we devised a plan. I pray with each one at night when they have completed their assignments for that day. Sometimes, I have to stay up late even past midnight to talk, and debrief about their day, before praying for them individually. It is a worthy price to pay for their eternal well being.

Attention: Giving your children attention is spelled quality and quantity time. The more attention you give your daughters, the more secure they are in their identity. Dads, I am going to shock you here- your teenagers and young adult daughters need you more now than when they were younger. Giving them attention means you get the opportunity to coach and mentor them in all aspects of life. During my times with my daughters, I have learned so many things from them I would not have learned any other way. I count it a huge blessing that at their ages now, they love and want to spend time with me and their mom. They take us out on all kind of dates. These are priceless moments that I carry with me.

Listener: Be the listener whenever they need you to. They might need you right in the middle of a very important business meeting to bounce off some concerns or challenges they are facing. Dads, again, I will shock you here- when they need a listening ear that is exactly what they need. They are not asking for advice, or prayer at that point, or how to fix a problem. They just want you to listen. This can be difficult for men, develop the skill at all cost. It will pay off in your parenting and relationship with your children. When you listen the first time they come to you, they will keep coming back to share their deep thoughts with you because they know you will listen and not counsel or fix.

Being a father is a high calling that demands everything in you. My prayer for every father that reads this post is that God will strengthen you, encourage you, challenge you and guide you as you nurture your children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.  And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4.


Nanci & Steve
4/25/2013 02:37:09 am

We are one of those families that is still thanking God He allowed our paths to cross during those homeschooling years! God's word works and it is so amazing to see all He is doing in our children's lives. Appreciate your obedience in mentoring us parents then and even now. Love you much!

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:08:28 pm

To God be the glory!! Love your pursuit of God's heart for your children. Love you guys. God Bless you!

Lade Obamehinti
4/25/2013 08:02:33 am

Hi Dad! I love you so much! This is such a beautiful post.
Thanks for teaching me about unbridled generosity. No matter how much I have learned to give to others, the one thing I desire the most is the prayers and blessings of my heavenly and earthly Father, because I know that's the greatest gift I can ever receive, being under the covering of sincere love and grace. So thanks to you and Mom for being the mighty Prayer warriors you all are for me and our family. I wouldn't be anywhere without you all :)
I love you!

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:29:26 pm

I thank God for you my Precious Princess. Mom and I are very blessed to be your parents.I love you dearly. Dad.

Gbenga Olubinoye
4/25/2013 09:15:15 am

Thank you sir for guiding us younger fathers for our family. I receive IJN.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:31:29 pm

To God be the glory! I believe in your calling as a father. Keep the fire burning. God Bless you!

Gbenga Olubinoye
4/27/2013 11:19:14 pm

Thank you sir. This means a lot to me.

Minister M.
4/25/2013 09:31:55 am

My dear Elder, I thank God for you an Lady Feyi! Read through each of your daughter's sites. Amazing women and arrows in God's hands! I rejoice with your family. Look what our God has done!!

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:33:16 pm

To God be the glory Minister Mildred. Deeply grateful to God for His faithfulness. Appreciate you. God Bless you!

Layo
4/25/2013 01:57:25 pm

Dad, this is great! Thank you so much for the many blessings you've conferred upon me and thank you to you and Mom for the unshakeable values you've instilled within me. The Lord is good! And I'm grateful He blessed me with a Dad like you. :)

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:44:16 pm

I thank God for you my Precious Princess. Mom and I are very favored to be your parents. I love you dearly. Dad.

Leslie T.
4/25/2013 02:58:11 pm

This is such a powerful post. Thank you for sharing practical truth that even as a grown woman I can glean from. Your shepherd heart is so evident and impactful not just for your daughters but all those you pour into. Blessed to be one of those, thank you!

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:48:30 pm

To God be all the glory! Appreciate you and love your pursuit of all God has prepared for you. God Bless you!

Dominic M
4/26/2013 02:08:00 am

Man of God, thank you for showing us younger dads the ropes and the ins and outs of parenting. Powerful and practical. I thank God for you and I receive wholeheartedly from your anointing. It speaks for itself.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:50:31 pm

To God be the glory! I believe in you and you're a great father. Keep the fire burning. God Bless you!

Jade B.
4/26/2013 04:10:05 am

Wow!!! Pastor Johnson, I am unglued too reading this. It bears God's heart in you. So encouraging that mothers can learn from this too.Thank you for sharing your journey with us to bless us. I just love you and your beautiful wife! Blessed and highly favored of God for sure.Love you guys.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:52:21 pm

To God be the glory! Your thirst for God is inspiring. Appreciate and love you guys. God Bless you!

Adebiyi Ojola
4/26/2013 04:36:28 am

This bless and inspire me sir. God wants me to fully depend on him for everything for my family. I hear you sir, prayer, attention and listen. thank you.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:54:23 pm

To God be the glory! I believe in your calling as a father. Faithful is he who has called you and will do it. Keep the fire burning. God Bless you!

Lola
4/26/2013 12:40:24 pm

Thanks Dad for this eloquent note! I am forever grateful for the principles you imparted within us. You and Mom are such great examples of how blessed a life can be with Christ at the center of it. To God be all the glory. Love you! :)

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:57:21 pm

I thank God for you my Beloved Princess. Mom and I are very favored to be your parents. I love you dearly. Dad.

Pastor David
4/26/2013 02:29:08 pm

You're a man after God's heart my Brother. Now God has you fathering many young fathers to follow His heart. It's happening and the multiplicity factor is in motion. Thank you for your friendship.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 04:59:28 pm

Appreciate you my Brother. Blessed by you and our friendship.

Feyi
4/26/2013 03:02:00 pm

Articulately -PIE Powerful, Inspiring and Encouraging! Ditto, totally unglued by His extravagant goodness. Thank you for being YOU! Passionate Jesus Follower, Awesome Husband and Father, I love you Honey!!!

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 05:04:25 pm

My Beloved Queen, I can never thank God enough for you and this wonderful life He has blessed us with in Him. I love you very much!

Sherilynn
4/26/2013 11:54:16 pm

This is such a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing your reflection and journey. Such great encouragement to rely on God and keep on going. God is faithful to his word. It has been a blessing to know your daughters.

Pastor Johnson
4/27/2013 05:09:58 pm

To God be the glory! Appreciate you and your heart for young people. I pray God continues to increase you and in you. God Bless you!

Melody
4/28/2013 12:32:27 pm

We are thinking of homeschooling when the new school year starts. Just ordered your book on homeschooling and we're going to the May bookfair in Arlington. This is such a powerful and encouraging post! Thanks so much for sharing.

Pastor Johnson
4/29/2013 12:05:41 pm

This is great to hear Melody! Be encouraged that God will fully equip you and your family as you begin your homeschool journey. If my wife and I can be of any assistance, don't hesitate to let us know. The book will be helpful as you plan. Be sure to visit the THSC booth at the bookfair. God Bless you!

Pastor Vincet from Kenya
4/29/2013 01:37:03 am

Good day Man of God, thank you for praying for Kenya. We are very excited about your impartation to our leaders here. We are believing for a supernatural release. GB.


Comments are closed.

     Dr. Johnson Obamehinti

    A Blog for Empowering and Restoring the body of Christ with Biblical truth and principles for living the victorious life in Jesus Christ. Son of the King, Husband, Father, Son, Brother, Friend, Mentor, & Leader.Oasis Focus Inc. is a ministry of restoration & equipping. 

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