Finding a Role Model

Over the course of the weekend and after talking quite a bit with Jared, I came to believe that the best way to share what we’re sharing here was to do it together. And, so far, it’s been an awesome experience spending time writing, talking and sharing our life experiences separated by 36 years and yet so connected.
We want very much to include Biblical examples of good fathering with each chapter. I’ve searched the scriptures looking for good stories of men who spent time with their sons. Unfortunately, there are none! Not that there aren’t good stories of men who loved their sons. Abraham loved Isaac very much. But he also had a son, Ishmael, with another woman who he sent away. Jacob had several sons but played favorites with Joseph and that turned out badly for quite some time. David had many sons he loved. But one attempted a coup, one raped his own half sister and one claimed the throne before David was actually dead. Even in the parable of the Prodigal Son the father is rejected by the younger son who, only after severe hardship, comes around to accept his father’s love. In the end the only father who is the best model of faithfulness, constancy and all things good is God, Himself. That’s a curious discovery that might be worth deeper consideration in the future. For now it seems that good father role models have always been hard to find!