By Guest: Dave Thompson
Father’s Day month is a great time to focus on relationships, so Stephanie Shott asked me to share about being a dad and my relationship with my Heavenly Father!
I learned about God and Jesus in my teens, but in my early adult years—I became a “self-made man.” Robert Ringer’s book Looking Out For Number One was my motto. In Ringer’s book, he talks about not letting anyone take your marbles, so I walked over and through everyone or anyone who interfered with me achieving my goals.
I was a successful corporate executive, married with a young family and a large home in an influential Southern California community. I was a “good dad” by worldly standards. I was involved with the kids’ activities—coaching, mentoring, supporting them wholeheartedly—loving and encouraging them to be the best they could be at everything they attempted. I had it made, so I thought, until it all came crashing down! Our family split up. I became a weekend dad, living out of state. We reconciled for a time, but eventually divorced.
During this tumultuous time, I began a sincere relationship with God, my heavenly Father. I dedicated my life to Jesus and reversed my original motto, and let the only real #1 look out for me. He does so much better than I could ever do!
When you think about it, who better to look out for you than the One who is:
Omnipresent – always with you
Omnipotent – all powerful
Omniscient – sees all and everything ahead and goes before you preparing the way.
So you ask this Father’s Day month, what my Father in heaven has meant in my life? Everything!
He has taken me with all my sins and prideful ways and made me His child, an adopted heir. He loves me more than anyone else could, or I could ever love myself.
Further, I would have never met the love of my life, my beautiful wife, Janet, if it weren’t for my relationship with Christ. We met in a church small group and have grown together with Christ at the center of our marriage.
Given a second chance at marriage and family and being a “godly father,” I did everything I could to raise our blended family as God would want, and I became the “spiritual leader” in our home, as God requires. When we blended our family, Janet and I strived to model a godly marriage to our children and instituted a devotional breakfast time before church on Sundays. We prayed at every meal and encouraged the kids to get involved in youth groups and activities with the church.
At every opportunity, I now encourage and mentor our son and sons-in-law to become the “spiritual leaders” in their homes, pray for their wives and children daily, and raise their children in a godly manner. I remind them that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God and should not be added to or taken away from, and it’s their reference manual full of wisdom for all life situations. As the Bible instructs, their priorities should always be: 1) God; 2) your wife; 3) your children and family; 4) the family of God . . . in that order.
I stress to them how important relationships are in life and that they should make decisions based on the priorities above, while also asking:
- How will this affect my relationship with God?
- How will this affect my relationship with my wife?
- How will this affect my relationship with my children and our family life?
My wife, Janet’s writing and speaking ministry, About His Work Ministries, was born out of our love for Christ and His church. Many lives have been changed by God using her/us sharing our experiences, challenges, and trials to help others.
You see when you give your life and your time to Christ and make yourself available, He molds you and makes you into who He wants you to be and uses you and the gifts He has given you to help others. In fact, our ministry tag line—“Sharing Life’s Experiences and God’s Faithfulness”—defines our life in Christ.
So if you are a self-made man, stop playing king of the mountain, give up your fight to stay on top, and let the only One who belongs there take your place. He will give you a more abundant life than you could ever imagine. He will not only renew your mind, but He will change your heart!
Have a great Father’s Day and don’t forget to honor and give the glory to your Heavenly Father!
Blessings to you all!
Dave
Dave is the father of four married children and Grampa Dave to eleven precious grandchildren. Married 20 years to his lovely wife and helpmate Janet, Dave has been blessed with many opportunities the serve his heavenly Father. While on staff at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, CA for over 15 years as a District Lay Pastor / Shepherd Coach and Community Leader, the Lord used Dave to shepherd and disciple mens and couples small groups and their leaders. Dave is now retired and says he retired into full-time ministry helping Janet with administrative duties for About His Work Ministries, Janet’s writing and speaking ministry. Dave is also currently involved in ministry as an elder at Crouch Community Church, in beautiful Garden Valley, Idaho, where Dave and Janet make their home.
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