Practical Discipleship

For Christian Men

~ Helping men live intentional lives ~

"I mean, I'm not perfect but...."

Have you said that or heard that phrase?  I bet you have.

I hear it all the time when I'm talking to Christian men.

For some reason, we (men) tend to have this idea in our heads that we're supposed to be perfect or that other men that we look up to are.

Now, we'd never say that - but the "I'm not perfect" phrase is continually used...so there must be something to it.

Here's what I want you to consider today with this in mind.

As a dad (or a future dad), your goal is not to be perfect. That's unattainable. But you can be better.  

Here are a few ways you can grow as a dad and become the kind of man your kids deserve and need.

Be fully present.  

A distracted dad is a big problem in many homes today. It could be that you're scrolling on your phone more than your kids do, or that you're just not fully there mentally when you're with them.

Whatever it is, I want you to consider how fully present you are when you're with your kids.  

This is easier said than done because we've got a lot on our plates.  We've got financial stress, busy schedules, work to get done, chores, etc.  There's a lot on our minds and a lot that has to get done.

But that should never be an excuse for why we can't give our kids a few uninterrupted moments of our day.

They need it, and they need you to be more fully present when you're with them.

Be a good example.

I had a football coach in the 4th or 5th grade that I'll never forget. 

At practice one day, we were all sitting together before we got started and then he walked up, took out a can of Copenhagen chewing tobacco, and put a big dip in his mouth.  Then he said something to the effect of, "Guys - do as I say and not as I do. This stuff will kill ya! So don't do it when you get older."

Uh, ok coach. Got it!

I think the point is clear: what are some of the things you might be doing that can take away from your ability to be a dad who has integrity in the things he says and does?

Words are important, and your kids need to hear them. But how you live and the example you set may be even more important in the end.  Be sure to examine your life closely and get rid of anything that ruins your godly example.

Be quick to admit when you're wrong.

Do you ever make mistakes and screw up as a dad?

Dumb question, right?

But here's another: would your kids know it?

I don't remember my parents ever coming up to me as a child and saying they were sorry or asking me to forgive them.  Maybe they did. But I don't remember it, if so.

Don't let that be your kids' story, too.

Be quick to own up to your shortcomings - even if you have to do it a lot. There's something super powerful about a dad who will humble himself and let his kids know that God is working on his heart and asking him to grow and change - just like he asks his kids to do the same.

We don't have to be perfect dads.  But we can get better!

These three ways can help you be more of the dad you want to be, and your kids hope that you'll be.

So, keep showing up and let God shape you into who you're meant to be.

Nate 

----------------👇🏻 👇🏻 ------------------                                                        

P.S.

Don't try to fix everything at once.

Instead, just pick one thing from today's email and practice it today. 

Better dads aren’t built by making big promises—but by small, repeated choices every single day. 

If you want to be a better dad, then do this:  Surround yourself with other godly men who are fighting to do the same.  Check out our online Fight Club here and join others who are working hard to be the best dads they can be.

**When you're ready...here are 3 ways that I can help:

1. My weekly podcast is made for Christian men who want to live intentionally & be better husbands, fathers, and followers of Christ. 

      Subscribe to that here.

  2. I have several books, courses, & coaching options exclusively for                   Christian men: Quit Porn For Good, Let's Talk About SEX!, Better Man,         Training For Change, and more. 

       Check out Books here, Courses here, and Coaching here.

  3. Join our exclusive, FREE, online Fight Club community for Christian            men only.

       Click here to learn more and apply if you're interested.