One of my jobs as a dad is to help my kids see the future. Not with a Magic 8-ball or 1981 Delorean, but by helping them connect the dots between today’s behavior and tomorrow’s consequences. And, not all of this is bad or negative. Sure, if they’re rebellious today, they’ll be grounded tomorrow. Or, when they’re selfish now, they’ll find they have fewer friends later. I need to help them see how today’s sinful choices can create future trouble. But, I also want to help them see the positive side of this equation. If they choose frugality today, tomorrow they’ll have some financial options (and less stress!). If they overlook an offense today, they’ll have deeper and more grace-filled relationships. One of the marks of immaturity is the lack of capacity to understand how today’s actions affect tomorrow’s consequences. We see this in scripture through the law of sowing and reaping. Paul told the Galatians, “God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) This is particularly helpful with teenage children who sometimes don’t want to be told “what to do” exactly. Instead of saying “you can’t” do thus and such, sometimes, I’ll just paint the future picture. “Sure, you could do that. Then, here’s the bag you might be holding in the future. It’s your call what you want that to be.” Sometimes we can leave a choice with them, but just gently inform them what they might experience on the other side.

7 great fathers in the Bible: Being a dad can feel like a lonely journey at times. But even a quick look at the Bible reminds us that being a father has always been a challenge. By examining the lives of some famous fathers in Scripture, we can find encouragement and the faith to keep moving forward, trust our heavenly Father each step of the way.

Gary Chapman and Clarence Shuler: Moving beyond cross-cultural stereotypes: Some corners of our culture will try to convince you that “diversity” is a dirty word. In reality, diversity is God’s idea. He celebrates our differences—and He expects us to celebrate them as well. In this episode, Gary Chapman and Clarence Shuler reflect on how their unlikely friendship has taken root and thrived for more than five decades. They’ll also share how Dads like you can nurture cross-cultural friendships in a way that shapes your children’s lives moving forward.

“Live thoughtfully today and you won’t have to live regretfully tomorrow.” – Woodrow Kroll

“Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

“God has established what man is supposed to do, and he expects man to do it his way and not a way independently of him. And when you do things independently of him, you have consequences you don’t want to bear.” – Tony Evans

Connect the dots. Perhaps you have a child who’s always pitching in and helping out, even when they’re not asked (in the future, they’ll get promoted at work). Maybe one of your kids keeps taking shortcuts at school (advanced math is gonna bite ’em). This week, do a bit of dot-connecting. See what behaviors (good or bad) seem to define your kids. Then, help them see how those might play out (for better or worse). You don’t have to be Nostradamus to help them start tasting the future fruit they’ll harvest from the seeds they’re planting.

Kent Evans
Author of The Manhood Journey, co-founder of Manhood Journey and Father On Purpose.

P.S. Was this Mountain Monday helpful? Tell me if you love it, hate it, or if there’s something you’d like in the next one.

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