On being a worthy father, a lesson from William Piper

You should read John Piper's article, "Hello, My Father Just Died." He shares the last sacred moments he spent with his dad. It is a gracious tribute and a praiseworthy example of our Christian hope. In our brother's experience we see God's grace. I am thankful for the lesson.

I am challenged by this article to be a worthy father. All of us dads and moms should be admonished to be more faithful. Will your children remember you like this? Will those who know you best offer this kind of tribute? Will your life be worthy of their praise?

Thank you, Daddy. Thank you for sixty-one years of faithfulness to me. I am simply looking into his face now. Thank you. You were a good father. You never put me down. Discipline, yes. Spankings, yes. But you never scorned me. You never treated me with contempt. You never spoke of my future with hopelessness in your voice. You believed God’s hand was on me. You approved of my ministry. You prayed for me. Everyday. That may be the biggest change in these new days: Daddy is no longer praying for me.

I often think of the effect my faith will have on my children. Will your life and death move your children toward God? Does God's glory come through your example? Will your children resolve to carry on the work God has begun in your life?

I look you in the face and promise you with all my heart: Never will I forsake your gospel. O how you believed in hell and heaven and Christ and cross and blood and righteousness and faith and salvation and the Holy Spirit and the life of holiness and love. I rededicate myself, Daddy, to serve your great and glorious Lord Jesus with all my heart and with all my strength. You have not lived in vain. Your life goes on in thousands. I am glad to be one.

More Links:

• Dr. William S. H. Piper Is with Jesus

• Fathers, Bring Them Up in the Discipline & Instruction of the Lord A tribute to William Solomon Hottle Piper, Father's Day, 2005.