I was far from a perfect father, but I did attempt to motivate my children with identity and grace. First, I let them know they were “Stricklands” and as Stricklands, we were called to something higher. We were called to God; to live for God, to follow God and to know Christ. He made us who we are and we live for a whole different motivation; we live to please Him. 

Second, I sought to value them with love and grace. Buying things for your children is great, allowing them to attend certain things super, but when my children look into the mirror, I want them to know that myself, my wife and Christ love them. I don’t want my love confirmed around the Christmas tree when they are getting some material gift. I want it experienced when they are down at the bottom of life, sucking on the last gasps of spiritual air, defeated and pummeled by their mistakes.  At that moment, I want them to remember a gentle hand reaching down and saying “We can get through this with the help of Christ.” I don’t know if they will remember one gift I purchased for them, but I do want them to remember, “The old man was there when I was in trouble and reached out to me with God’s grace. I have value in my dad’s eyes and in God’s.”