What is a good father? What attributes would you list?

A good listener, compassionate, thoughtful? 

Dad thought often about the qualities of a good father and was intentional about wanting to be a good father. He believed he was a good father and allowed me space to evaluate if he was good. This is rare. Some dads don’t feel like good fathers which will propel them to this end. Some dads feel like they are good fathers, but their children don’t experience them as good. Both are necessary. 

Dad identified what qualities he believed were attributes for goodness and gave permission to my brother Jay and me to add to this list. It was an evolving list. A good dad played with me when I was young, coached my teams when I was in school, and helped me with parenting tasks as I grew older. 

A good dad asked forgiveness and didn’t have to be perfect. Dad was so quick to adjust things I found frustrating. 

He also deeply loved being my dad. He celebrated my life; he listened with joy to my stories and laughed with attentiveness and participation. 

How much easier it is for me to trust in God as a good father because I had such a good and loving dad. 

Dad had the humble balance of living without the egoism of bad dads or the shame of insecure dads. He believed God, through him, would make him a good father not in a controlling, demanding way but in a tender, gentle way. 

Dad was naturally fierce, and he worked hard to be gentle. He was naturally talkative, and he dedicated himself to listening. He was born into the home of a terrible father and devoted his life to seeking God to change his legacy. 

What new legacy are your seeking God to bring about in your life?