“A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society.” (Quote from Billy Graham)
When it comes for fatherhood, I have a full quiver, seven children to be exact. In addition to being “Poppa” to them, I am a father figure to many. And they all know that if they need an advisor or consultant, they can call on “Poppa.” Work policy question? Call Poppa! Spiritual guidance sought? Call Poppa! Mentoring in the areas of ministry? Yes, call Poppa! Decorating tips of décor queries? Call Poppa! Relationship stuff, raising kids stuff and riveting stress producing stuff? Call Poppa! When they shake their heads “yes” to their bosses, but are really questioning the legality of a personnel strategy that was described? They know what to do! Call Poppa! Dilemmas, decisions to be made, or direction sought in a particular aspect of life?
Now as a father or a father figure, Poppa does not have expertise to consult and give advice on all issues of life. I’m not the ultimate guru. I know how to use the proverbial open door and realize when I need to tell them: “You better take this to one to your other Poppa!” Are you one of those readers who are saying, “Who is he talking about? I didn’t know anything about any other Poppa?” Well let me answer your question before you stop reading and start calling other folks to find out about this “other Poppa.” Hold your horses! I’ll tell you!
The best advice, better yet, the perfect advice, comes from the other Poppa; our Heavenly Father. Hopefully when in the role of father or father figures, every earthly Poppa depends on Him. But sometimes, it is best to go directly to the other Poppa or follow up with Him after talking to the earthly father. You see, He is the Supreme Advisor or Highest Level Consultant who is able to affirm or argue in opposition to advice that you get from anybody, regardless of their rank, their relationship, or their revered status in the secular world. Oh, here is the best thing about it! The other Poppa’s consulting services are free, just as free as your earthly Poppa! There is a difference however. Our heavenly Father, that other Poppa, never gets it wrong and is never at loss to point you in the right direction and keep you from leaning on your own understanding.
In closing let me tell you how I feel my children should react when people try to convince them that wrong is right. I think they should say, “Don’t you know who my Daddy is? I can always check it out with him. That’s the attitude we ought to have with our other Poppa; our, God above!
Remember these things! Pass this on and/or read it to your children. Share it with others who seek your advice, and the earthly Poppas who do not set aside time to read meditations normally. Oh, for sure, send this to the “Baby Daddies” that have not learned yet that they are to be good fathers and depend on the other Poppa! Help them out! Be blessed!
“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 NKJV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King