How can we ever live up to the greatest example of fatherhood? Yes, I’m talking about God as Father.

Think particularly of the baptism of Jesus: the Father declared that He was pleased with the Son! At that point, Jesus hadn’t healed the sick, fed the thousands, or turned water into wine. The “well pleased” statement was not at all based on what Jesus had accomplished in his life. Sure, Jesus was a great carpenter and was skilled in relationships, but God was pleased simply because Jesus was on the earth. He existed as a man and was positioned to accomplish the Father’s will for His life.

Let’s face it, we tend to be pleased with our children when they accomplish something: they get good grades, are mannerly to others, they do a great job or grow up and get a job, then a promotion. That’s when we usually express our praise – when we have reason to be proud of them.

It’s interesting that the Father’s expression came before Jesus had accomplished any of the miracles that we read about in our Bibles.

I have realized as a Dad that there are times when it is important to just tell my children that I am pleased with them simply because they are on the earth. When we base our “being pleased” on behaviour or accomplishments, we are placing conditions on the acceptance of our children.

Today, I shared this with each of my children: “I’m pleased with you, not based on what you have accomplished in life, but simply because you are in my life.”

This has started to become the norm for me. I’m not waiting for a text message or call to wish me a Happy Father’s Day! My statement frees my children. They know they are accepted by me and do not have to earn that acceptance in any way.

This is also a process for me as a Dad. I have had to let go of my expectations of what I desire for my children and simply rest in the fact that God is able to direct each of their lives in ways that I can never do. They are free to walk into their futures without sensing the need to gain my approval.

The fact is I don’t always agree with my kids; they have their own opinions that do not align with mine. In spite of this, our relationship as a family is stronger than ever. I do not need to agree with my children to be happy or satisfied with them! My children are far from perfect, as am I, but thankfully, that’s not what is required to be a strong family.

What is required is simply accepting our children … because they are our children.

My prayer today is that more Dads will not only tell their children that they are pleased with them but will also tell them why. Are you satisfied with your children? Have you told your son or daughter that you are pleased with them simply because they are your son or daughter? Isn’t that reason enough?