To the Journal editor:

It’s my 80th Fathers Day and it would be all too easy to be drawn into thinking that life is almost over and there is little of significance remaining for one to do at this stage in life. Not true.

There is something of God in all of us and our number one task is to allow God to be not only present but fully alive in us.

What does God “fully alive in me” look like? Scripture (Galatians 5:22,23) says that when God is fully alive in us we displaylove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-Control. I’ve often thought that last one should have been listed first.

The importance is that when God is fully alive in me and those characteristics are fully present in me then they also impact those around me. I can become contagious.

Fathers of every age can travel that road and live those characteristics. And that is significant.