Matthew West’s Shout Out to Dads

Matthew West – five-time GRAMMY® nominee, a multiple ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year winner and a 2018 Dove Award Songwriter of the Year recipient – has a special message for all dads this Father’s Day!

For I have chosen him, that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice, so that the Lord may bring to Abraham what he has promised him.”

– Genesis 18:19 ESV

Matthew West, a father of two daughters, told Family Life Radio, “I often beat myself up if I feel like maybe I’m not the perfect dad. But God has given me grace in knowing that my kids don’t need a perfect dad. What they need is a present dad!”

Know that your children don’t need a perfect dad; they need a present dad!

Matthew said “What they need is somebody who is quick to apologize when they mess up; someone who is quick to say ‘I love you.’ If you think you’ve told your kids you love them enough – tell them one more time. Show affection. Let them know that you’re in their corner because this world is going to go out of its way to push your kids down. That’s what the world does.”

And as a fellow father, Matthew encouraged, “I know God put you in your kid’s life for a reason. So I want to wish you a happy Father’s Day. Thanks for the impact that you’re making in the lives of your kids. Point them to Jesus at every turn. Our Heavenly Father set that to be our example.”

Today’s One Thing

Look at the things Matthew said your kids need. Ask yourself:

• Am I quick to apologize when I mess up?
• Do I say, “I love you,” frequently?
• Do I show affection to my children – my family?
• Do my children know I’m for them?
• How often do I think about how God gave me the opportunity to be their father?

Then ask God to help you with any of these questions you need to work on doing better. Start today!

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