What my Dad didn't teach me

   I had a good dad. He had the most golden heart, he loved others, and he loved my mom. I cannot complain in the fact that he loved us.I could dwell on some negative and I probably have, but I never let it form who I became. Really,  parents do the best they can at the time and with the cards they have been given in life.   Some people could dwell on things like he drank at times and could become abusive and mean, but overall, looking back, love was there. He taught me a lot. I learned even more by watching him make mistakes.
  I have to say though, there is one thing he could not and did not teach me and that is the true character of Jesus Christ. He loved me, it's a natural human characteristic to love your family and your children, but to love sacrificially, well that is something only the scriptures and Christ can teach you.
 Dads and husbands, did you know that you have the awesome opportunity to teach your wives and children the character of Jesus Christ in your actions and how you treat your family? Do you realize the power you have or the responsibility you have?

 Ephesians 5:25-27 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; 26 that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27 that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

I think now of what my husband has taught me, and I am speaking of my husband the man, not the preacher or pastor. He didn't just all the sudden change when he accepted the calling. The love that he shows me, and others, that is a gift from Christ and it was there from day 1 of knowing him. God has and is still cultivating him and our lives, but I can honestly say this, he has taught me Christs character in loving me. How does he do that? He lives out Ephesians 5:25, he loves me sacrificially and unconditionally and I have learned more about love in the last 11 years than I ever thought I would. 

 Our inner self, our carnal self wants to be selfish and motivated by fairness and what others can do for you, or better yet, what is best for number 1...self, but there is a reward for love and sacrificially giving of oneself. (Luke 6:35) Loving and giving without expecting anything in return,  that is of Christ, that is his character, we are to all strive for that, not out of hope for reward but for the simple fact that Christ lives within us, we are strive to be like him so that others might get a small glimpse of His character.

A Christian or "Christ Follower"  has the awesome ability and responsibility to extend this love, charity and mercy to others.