Fathers of Promise

June 13, 2008

By William E. Richardson

“Better not to vow than to vow and not pay” (Ecclesiastes 5:5, NKJV).

We fathers are in an awesome position to lead our children by giving direction. Equally awesome is our responsibility to lead by example.

Our children know if we keep promises we make to God. When they hear us promote church attendance, tithing and trusting God at all times, they take mental notes on our devotion to those principles. If they see us respond in prayer to a sermon, they’ll notice our response outside the church.

Our children know if we keep promises we make to our wives. They know we took a vow of faithfulness to their mother. If they see us ogling a female in public or watching scantly clad women on television, they’ll sense something’s wrong. They note when we promise our spouse we’ll do a certain thing, but don’t.

Our children definitely know if we break a promise to them. Broken promises from parents wound children. Over time, a series of broken promises leaves scars.

If we give our word but make keeping it flexible, our children will likely follow our example. If we stay true to our promises, even when it becomes difficult to do so, our children will copy our example as important for their own lives.

Consider this prayer:

“Heavenly Father, I acknowledge I need Your help as a father. I want to always set the right example for my child/children. Help me not be too quick to make a promise. Help me do everything I need to keep a promise. Please help me always set an example my child/children can follow. Amen.”

— William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.