Yesterday the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints received their championship rings. Having played in four super bowls, I can tell you that there is no greater feeling in the world than getting those rings after all your hard work. This weekend being Fathers Day weekend, I began to think will I recieve ring for being a championship father?
The Apostle Paul who wrote about the similarities between athletics and our spiritual lives, gave us fathers some keys to assuring that we will recieve a ring for our work here on earth. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27
1. We need to Run to Win. (v.24) For some of us that might mean that we spend a little less time at the office or playing golf and spend more time with our kids. Remember kids spell love T.I.M.E
2. We need to Remain Self-controlled. (v.25) A wise man told me once that I need to learn to reflect and respond instead of reacting and rejecting to everything that my kids ask or do. That has been some great advice.
3. We need to Rely on the Fundamentals. (v.26) The first fundamental of a championship father is loving your wife. One of the best things we can do for our children is treating their mother with love and respect.
4. Finally, championship fathering Requires a Disciplined Life-style. (v.27) No father can be a champion unless he is living what he is preaching. If we are living lives that lack discipline it is highly unlikely that we will win a ring for being a championship father.
Championship Fatherhood doesn’ t mean you do everything perfect. Your kids won’t remember the things you did perfectly, however, they will remember the things you did period!