Those who have been listening to Father Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year podcast know that Fr. Schmitz says a prayer after each Bible reading. And, on a few occasions, he calls God "Dad."

Never before had I thought about calling God Dad. But I really like it. Why?

Think about your own dad and what that word means to you. For most people who grew up with a loving father or father figure, the connotation is someone strong who supports you, someone who teaches, someone who protects you, and of course someone who loves you unconditionally.

Isn't that what God does?

As Father's Day approaches and we think about our own dads, let us remember how vital fathers are in our lives and how vital they are to families in general. According to the Child and Family Research Partnership at the University of Texas:

Children who grow up with involved fathers are: 39% more likely to earn mostly As in school, 45% less likely to repeat a grade, 60% less likely to be suspended or expelled from school, twice as likely to go to college and find stable employment after high school, 75% less likely to have a teen birth, and 80% less likely to spend time in jail. (Image: Pixabay)

Focus on the Family states: "In an analysis of over 100 studies on parent-child relationships, it was found that having a loving and nurturing father was as important for a child's happiness, well-being, and social and academic success as having a loving and nurturing mother."

Further, research has found that "if a father does not go to church, even if his wife does, only 1 child in 50 will become a regular worshiper. If a father does go regularly, regardless of what the mother does, between two-thirds and three-quarters of their children will attend church as adults."

Fathers matter. Fatherhood matters. Strong male leadership within the home makes a huge impact on how children will develop and grow. We need strong men today to make strong men tomorrow.

When I think about the epitome of a model father, I think of my dad. I grew up a Marine Brat, and I loved every minute of it. My dad was a career military man who retired as a colonel after 28 years. We didn't move too much, but he had some unaccompanied tours that took him away from our family. That meant a lot of traveling (for both him and us) and a lot of me missing him. But I didn't mind because I loved the Marine Corps, too. And, during those times when he wasn't physically present, I knew he was still there for me... Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

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