I was in Nashville recently with Eddie, a pastor in his fifties. He shared a story so incredible, I had to pass it on to you. It has major implications for men who want to be godly Fathers. This story will make you question making a decision that your children don’t want you to and will challenge you to strive for being a better husband.

Eddie was born to teen parents. They married, but, their relationship was bumpy. Eddie remembered a lot of arguing in his childhood. After one particularly heated exchange, Eddie’s dad said he’d had enough. He would be leaving them the next day. Eddie was nine years old.

Eddie went to be alone, obviously distraught. Eddie’s uncle had stopped by, and he encouraged Eddie’s dad to check on him.

As his Father approached the bench Eddie was sitting on, he asked, “Son, what’s wrong?”

Eddie said, “Dad, I don’t want you to leave mom.”

“Why not?” his Dad asked.

Eddie replied, “Because I don’t want to be raised by a single mom.”

“OK son, I won’t. I promise.”

It was as simple as that. At the time, Eddie’s dad was in his mid-twenties. Eddie forgot the conversation ever happened.

Decades later, Eddie’s father was (again) complaining about Eddie’s mother. Eddie finally said, “Dad, fine. Why don’t you just leave mom?”

“Because I promised you I wouldn’t.” Eddie was confused, and asked his Father to explain. His Dad reminded him of the conversation on the bench.

Pause for a second. Especially if you’re a Father.

Ask yourself this probing, gut-wrenching question: Is there anything you’re doing – or about to do – that your young children would ask you not to do?

You might have deep anguish in this area. You already did that thing – whatever it was – and you’ve regretted it ever since. The purpose of this post is not to stoke negative memories and heap more guilt and pain on you.

But, this post’s purpose is to give us Fathers several reminders:

  • Our decisions have consequences, we must consider the far-reaching impacts
  • Sometimes, making a promise to our children is a powerful motivator
  • Our kids can often give us needed perspective, especially amid trials
  • It’s possible to keep a marriage together even if it’s not easy

About a dozen years ago, Eddie moved back to his hometown to be near his Father, who’d been diagnosed with a terminal illness. Nine months after the diagnosis, Eddie’s dad passed away.

Just hours before his death, Eddie’s Father accepted Christ as his savior. Eddie led him to this decision in his hospital bed.

Eddie’s dad never gave up on his marriage.

Eddie never gave up on his Father.

 

Maybe you have young sons and you want to be an engaged and godly Father. You just need something to help you be the intentional leader for your boys that you’ve always wanted to be. Maybe our father and son Bible studies can help?