Ideals - Reality - God's mercy
Mother and wife:
A good father places his wife first. If the father is the CEO, the mother is the COO. He supports the mother, gives her his authority (and backs it up), gives her freedom to be creative in her roles, takes responsibility for everything that goes wrong, gives praise for everything that goes right.
Daughters:
Both how a father loves their mother, and how a father loves them - this is how their daughters will be loved by their husbands, this is the type (or anti-type) of men their daughters will seek out. Their confidence in their father's love will not leave them grasping at boys who don't know what love is. A father's love protects, strengthens, and guides.
Sons:
A father is the standard. Sons will want to be like their father, or better. How much better will depend on the example that is set for them. And they get a front row seat to us at our worst. No business-like facade here. Raw emotions will rage, hurt, and need repentance. Real men ask for forgiveness. No father is perfect, but that is no excuse for a lazy standard for sons to follow. Respect for women, be the hero, standard of honesty, honor, and self-control.
These are my ideals, but far from my reality.
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”The older I get, the more I realize how I've screwed up. But in God's mercy, He watches over my wife and children - even sustains me through them! My earthly fatherhood is riddled with sin. But God our Father teaches my children lessons I have not yet learn, loves them in ways I have not yet learned to love, provides for them in a wisdom and power that I will never reach. God is good.
What matters most:
Worship attendance - view of worship opportunities, joy
View of God the Father - willingness to be under authority, to serve
Personal study of God's Word - desire to know Him and copy Him, the perfect Father
How they treat others - practicing what they've been taught
Jesus prayed for us - “Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me. I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” - John 17
