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God expects all Dads’ to be…
- INSANELY PATIENT: As you study Scripture you will find that God was/is INSANELY PATIENT with His kids. He was INSANELY PATIENT with Peter. He was INSANELY PATIENT with Jonah. He was INSANELY PATIENT with the prodigal son and He is INSANELY PATIENT with me. Dad’s…God is calling you to be INSANELY PATIENT with your kids. You must be patient when they fail, lie to you, don’t make the team, don’t play up to YOUR expectations, are lazy, hate church and churn the drama. I think you get the idea. Dad’s, you should be as patient with your kids as you want God to be with you.
- INTENTIONALLY FORGETFUL: Get ready for this one!! “Then he says, ‘I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.’” Hebrews 10:17 I believe we must walk in the character of our Heavenly Father and INTENTIONALLY FORGET our kids’ failures, screw ups, dishonoring behavior and disrespectful speech.
- CREATORS OF PEACE: Do you make your kids walk on egg shells? Are your children fearful that you will erupt at any given moment? Do you give your son the silent treatment when he doesn’t perform? One of the names of God is Yahweh Shalom, meaning “The Lord is Peace.” Our Heavenly Father is our peace and we must strive to create a peaceful (non toxic – fear driven) home for our kiddos to grow up in.
- FREAKIN (i know i say that word too much) FUN: One of my son’s buddies has parent’s that are what I would call “BUSINESS (AKA…BIDNESS) PARENTS”. They are all BIDNESS on the weekends, they are all BIDNESS when it comes to homework, they are all BIDNESS when it comes to sports and they are all BIDNESS at the dinner table! Just freakin stop all the BIDNESS!! Get rid of the black socks, Khakis and Crocs. Loosen up, lighten up, be an idiot and light a fart. You light a fart and you will be a hero for years to come. Seriously…I believe God wants us to enjoy His creation and time on earth. Dad’s, please have some fun with your kiddos.
- A FATHER: When you believe in Jesus Christ, God becomes your personal Father. Father is used to describe God in the Old Testament only 15 times while it is used 245 times in the New Testament. As a name of God, it stresses God’s loving care, provision and discipline. It’s time to Man-Up and be a Father.
Which 1 of these 5 do you need to work on? Leave a comment and let me know.
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Definitely being patient. I think that runs into the other 4.
I get the patience thing as well Joey. Actually wrote that one out of my failure.
Hey Chris….can you do one of these “What a kid needs from there MOM, who happens to be a single mom….doing mom and dad duties? I love reading what you write.
I can adjust to fit my role as a single parent doing both roles, I would like your view on this.
Rock on….no crocs!!
Julie
Julie…thanks for all the EP love you pass my way. We are doing moms tomorrow!!
This is a great post. I think moms can gain some advice from these points too. I struggle being insanely patient and intentionally forgetful. I’m going to be focusing on these a lot more this week. Thanks for this!
Hope you’re well Michelle! Looks like you guys had a great vaca.
Too funny, Chris.
The atmosphere we create in our homes, as parents, is so important. Many of us can stay so focused on doing the right thing as parents that we fail to recognize the temperature in our homes.
Grace is key.
The truth is, I’m not always patient, and I don’t always quickly forgive, but my relationship with my Father is locked in and isn’t changing. There is freedom and joy in that.
As parents, we should create homes that allow for setbacks and mistakes, and the ability to process them openly with our kiddos.
And yes, we all need to lighten up a little. Dads, think about the last time you made your son belly laugh – I mean to the point where he had to yell, “I’m about to pee on myself.” If it hasn’t been recently, it’s been too long.
Good words, Chris.
Thanks Kevin! Love the grace based approach, it is everything. I have not always been that way until I had a Damascus Road experience and God wrecked me. The FM Team has breathed this into me…thanks for piping in.
This stuff is awesome Chris! I’ve succeeded exceptionally well lately at being impatient. I know the stresses that I carry in my own life tend to lead my responses to family. That’s ridiculous…and a whole ‘nother topic. I will be praying about, and working on, my insane patience!!….but first I’m going to go find my lighter!!
glad the lighter is your priority!!
Sprad, No, this is serious stuff! Even being hilarious with your family is serious! I can actually vouch for your comment about being a hero if you can light your own methane. Years ago, a group of 7-8 HS buddies got to talking about that..and I didn’t believe it so they dared me. It worked so well that all 8 of them and mom and dad of one of them were all rolling on the floor laughing as hard as you can laugh! Hilarious.
Whatever it takes to get a bunch of Jr. Boys attention for Jesus!!
It’s definitely the patience thing that has a death grip on me. I continually fail at this and just yesterday I had to sit my kids down and apogize for my lack of patience. When I lose patience like that I get angry with myself because it seems that it’s just my own family that I am so “quick to anger” with. When dealing with strangers and other peoples kids I seem to have much more tolerance.
Definitely have to work on this one and like Joey said above, I think this one leads into the other four.
Kevin, your statement about the atmosphere in our own homes and having grace hits home. I need to work hard on those things. I want my children to think of home as safe. Not a place they need to walk on eggshells.
The greatest piece of your comment Shawn was that when you blow it…your willing to sit down and ask for your kids’ forgiveness.
1, 2, and 3. Ugh. Someday my impatience causes me to blow up and I can see the look in their eyes. I can feel them put up their guard and I know I blew it. Good news is that my kids are really good at #3. When I breakdown and tell them I’m sorry they always forgive and forget. Yep, they are better than me at that one too. You can learn alot from these crumb snatchers.
Great stuff Kasey. I can struggle w/ the patience as well and find myself asking for forgiveness more than I want sometimes. Thanks for your honesty!
Chris, Great words to live by, but… Dude you hit Hard…
If a Dad doesn’t cringe a little when reading them.. then his kids aren’t teenagers or young adults… cuz it doesn’t matter how old they get.. or how old you get , these still apply.
thanks
Hey Dan…thanks for checking in! Glad that you’re a fan of EP. If I ever get soft…call me out!!
Chris,
Thank you for all the great resources, advice and guidance you are giving……so glad you guys are back in OK
Thanks for the encouragement John!! Glad to be back as well…although I do miss the 75 degree weather.