I want to remind you today that you are a masterpiece and you have immeasurable worth! Maybe, you don't feel that way today. I hope if you don't that will change after reading.
Dads you need affirmation!
Definition of AFFIRM - validate, confirm, to approve!
Three Affirmations that I want to share with every DAD on this list. God placed these in my heart to first speak them as I was writing my graduation speech for the class of 2013. There was a time that I shared these affirmations every single day.
Men, here is a secret about ladies: Women need to be affirmed that they are precious, beautiful, to be honored, to need to be wooed. I am still working on doing a better job with that after 36 years of marriage.
Men we need affirmation too. We need to know that we are good enough, that we have what it takes, that we are essential!
DADS need affirmation.
Acknowledge the people today that crosses your path and offer a high five in the air and remind them that they are a Masterpiece!
Maybe it’s been awhile since you have been AFFIRMED? Today you will be.
Affirmation #1: You are valuable - No one like you. He made you precious and unique when your life challenges you to give more effort than you think is possible in the storms, in the darkness, in the quietness, in the loneliness.
When you question your self-worth, remember that you are PRICELESS. You are valuable because you are a child of God!
Luke 12:6-7: 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Ephesians 1:5-6: He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us within the Beloved.
WE ARE FAVORED!
Favored: regarded or treated with preference or partiality; enjoying special advantages; privileged:
I remember the day like it was yesterday. I was in 4th grade at recess playing kickball and I was the last one picked! I still remember that feeling. Then something changed in 5th grade my family moved to Texas. I was the new kid but not only that I got faster! I became the favorite and I was NEVER PICKED LAST AGAIN!
16 years ago, when we first moved to Magnolia I experienced the all new again. New jobs, new schools, long drive every day. I was at the high school, Kay worked at the junior high. We had two schedules and two cars. Our daughter was with me and our son was with the wife. My wife came home one day and said she saw my son eating at the lunch table by himself. This broke my heart and it breaks my heart every time I see kids alone even today.
Here is the Good news. You are in! You are always on God’s team. You are never the last one picked. You are always in His starting line up. You always measure up. You are always fast enough. You are always smart enough. You are precious and beautiful and always invited to His table! DADS you will NEVER EAT ALONE!
God knows every hair on your head. He knew you before you were even born. You are valuable!
Affirmation #2 You are complete. You are not lacking anything. You are good enough. You have what it takes. So many times, over my 34 years in education I have had students in my office that feel like they have been discarded, discounted and unworthy of success or recognition because they do not see their completeness.
Three years ago, a college football player went missing. He was six foot eight, 280 pounds of fun-loving young man. Everybody loved him but because of his feeling of being inadequate he took his own life and was found in a dumpster. Just prior to that event he text his mom at 1am saying “I am sorry that I am such an embarrassment”.
Definition of complete…*HAVING ALL THE NECESSARY PARTS; NOT LACKING ANYTHING; NOT LIMITED IN ANY WAY!
Genesis 1:31 And God, saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.
Colossians 2:10 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
We often measure our completeness to what the world tells us is complete. Not even a new car, new job, new wife, new family or how many friends will fill you. He has a plan. He has given you what you need. The world will tell you something else but you were designed by Him. I have always seen my passion as a coach, teacher, principal, and men’s minister. To help others maximize their completeness your job is to simply accept your completeness in Christ and to utilize it! To maximize it. WE WILL NEVER MEASURE UP TO THE WORLDS STANDARDS!
You are NOT an embarrassment. You are valuable. You are complete.
Affirmation #3 You are loved.
Romans 8:35-39 Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Can affliction or anguish or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? In all these things, we are more than victorious through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that not even death or life, angels or rulers, things present or things to come, hostile powers, height or depth, or any other created thing will have the power to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord!
John 3:16 16 “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.
I love football. In football, the ball does not always bounce the right way. In life it’s the same way. However, no matter how the ball bounces God loves you. He created you and He loves you! I hope you have heard those words "I love you". I hope you have shared those words with others. Speak those words into other’s lives. Live those words into other’s lives with your actions.
You are valuable. You are complete. You are loved
Live today with confidence, knowing that God loves you and He paid the ultimate price for you. My challenge today to you is that when you write your notes to your loved ones tell them how precious they are. Let’s change lives starting today.
Let’s prepare our hearts STARTING TODAY!
DADS, You are a masterpiece and you have unlimited immeasurable worth.
You matter and your wife and your children need you!
To God be the glory.
Suiting Up,
Jeff Springer
