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Key Bible Verses: "You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead?. … Of course not!" (Luke 11:11–12). Bonus Reading: Isaiah 62:3–5

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist and a fervent, vocal Christian. Years after his father died, Cal paused to reflect on the influence of his dad:

"What he did for a living was not the most important thing in my life, because it did not seem to be the most important thing in his. I do remember the Lionel train set he bought me one Christmas. I still have it and wouldn't sell it at any price. I will never forget the hours he spent with me setting it up and watching the joy on my face as it raced around the track. I remember the backyard games of catch and the movies he took me to on Saturdays, back when movies were worth seeing.

None of the things I remember about my father had anything at all to do with his lifestyle or whom he knew or the places he had been or the style of the clothes he wore. I just knew that he was always there."

Cal carries a picture of his father in his briefcase, a constant reminder of the joy his father brought to childhood.

—Mike Nappa and Norm Wakefield in Legacy of Joy

Adapted from Legacy of Joy (Promise, 1998) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Heavenly Father, help me carve out the time to be a good earthly father.

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