I had the privilege this past week to speak at an event titled, “Donuts for Dads.” As always, I am thrilled when given such an opportunity to speak with men about the importance of being a father. I am aware that some may prefer the title father over dad, however for the time being dad is just an informal way of saying father. What is more important is that we understand the power of a father or dad. Fathers have power whether we desire it or not.

There is a lot of debate about delinquency, juvenile crime, and teen pregnancy. Everyone is asking how to respond to it.

A father is always exerting influence over his child. As we influence our children’s lives we should be aware that there are other long-term effects taking place. An example of this is found in one of my favorite stories in the Bible.

There was a son who lived a very comfortable life at home with his father. One day he decided to ask his father for his inheritance and leave home to live a life without boundaries.

Undoubtedly the son’s father was a provider for his family because he was able to give his son an inheritance.

The son left home with a lot of money which he wasted in rebellious living. Eventually, the son got to the point where he had spent all of his money which landed him in a pin filled with filthy pigs.

While in the pig’s pin, something interesting began to take place. The delinquent son begins to think on the love of his father. Apparently, the father had made a lasting impact in his son’s life. He says, “I will go back to my father.”

Now that is a powerful statement. What we learn is that the father served as a reference point for his son. When our children have nowhere else to turn, they should always feel that they can turn to their father. Could it be that some of our children are turning to drugs, guns, violence, and youthful lust because they have no reference point, no father to turn to?

What is even more powerful about the father was his response to his son when he returned home. He did not punish him or say to him, “I knew you’d be back. Why can’t you ever do right?” “Why can’t you be more like your sibling?” “Why are you always messing up?” Instead, when the father saw him trying to change his life, he ran to him, embraced him, and kissed him.

As fathers, we make a lasting impression in the lives of our children. What we plant in their lives today will flourish in the years to come.

When we tap into our fatherhood power, delinquency, juvenile crime, and teen pregnancy will dwindle and our children will be shaped into the leaders and parents of the future.