Our Father
- Richard Selke
- Jun 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 8
June 18, 2025
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I am blessed to be a father. Susan and I share six amazing children – Erin, Lindsay, Allison, Clay, and our sons-in-law, Jehan and David. And we have the added joy of seven precious grandchildren – Fisher, Grady, Lyla, Annabelle, Josh, Savanna and Sela. I love them all dearly. Being a father and a grandfather is one of life’s greatest blessings.
When a father welcomes his child into the world, his heart is overwhelmed – with gratitude, hope and sometimes fear. If it’s a boy, he might go out and buy a football that’s bigger than the baby. If it’s a girl, he may envision her in her prom dress or even her wedding gown. He might even consider the thought that somewhere out there, peacefully asleep in his crib, is a male infant who will someday ask for her hand in marriage.
Fathers dream big dreams for their children. And those dreams come with a deep sense of responsibility.
Some of us have sweet relationships with our fathers, some bitter-sweet, and some just downright bitter. I was blessed with a good father - Oscar Otto Selke, Jr. He wasn’t perfect, but he loved us and did the best he could. He’s been gone for twenty-two years. I miss him. I always will. I wish he was still with us. I see more of him in me with every passing year. I am thankful for the ways he shaped me.
But no earthly father gets it all right. I love my children and I’ve always tried to be the best father I can be. Still, I know I’ve fallen short. We all do. That’s why it’s so important to remember that while our human fathers may fail us, God our Father never will!
Some of us may struggle with the image of God as Father, especially if our own fathers were absent or hurtful. If that’s part of your story, please don’t let that pain keep you from knowing your perfect Father in heaven – Who is full of mercy, kindness, patience, and grace.
Throughout my life, I’ve also been fathered by other men. Some were saints, most were sinners. Some fathered me intentionally while others never knew the impact they had – an action, a word of encouragement, big things, little things that contributed to who I am. All taught me lessons about life and about faith that I carry with me still.
I wonder what my children and grandchildren and, perhaps some day, great-grandchildren will remember about me. I hope they remember how deeply I love them. I hope they know how much I love Jesus. And I hope, more than anything, that they come to know how much Jesus loves them!
What will your family remember about you?
Men, whether or not you have biological children, all of us are “father figures” to the children who are watching everything we do and listening to everything we say. We all have the opportunity and the responsibility to reflect the character of our heavenly Father to them.
As Christian fathers, our highest calling is to lead the next generation to Christ. We must tell our children about our personal relationship with God the Father. We must talk about Jesus not only on Sundays, but in our everyday lives. We must tell them what blessings they are to us, what blessings they are to the world – and what a blessing it is to know the One Who blesses us so richly.
Think about all the dreams you have for your children. Of all of the gifts you could give them, the most important is faith in Jesus Christ, Who is the Way to eternal life with God our Father.
I know a man who had longed for a child all his life. At the age of fifty-three, he finally became a father. His backyard was filled with every play thing you can imagine. It looked like a miniature Disneyland for his five-year-old daughter. I know that his intentions are good. I know that he deeply loves his daughter. I know he wants her to remember him as the good man he is. But I wonder: “What is he giving her that will help her to know God.” That’s a question worth asking – for all of us!
The Bible says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1, NIV
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, we live as beloved children of God our Father!
QUESTIONS
What will your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren remember about you?
Are you giving them something that will last beyond this life – faith, hope, and love through Jesus Christ?
PRAYER
Gracious God, we gladly acknowledge that You are our Father, and that we are Your precious children. We thank You for the gift of life and love that You’ve shown us through our earthly fathers. We pray for all fathers – those who have blessed us, those who have struggled and those who are still learning. Help every man to reflect Your heart, pointing children toward You. Bless our families and help us to raise a generation who knows, loves and serves Jesus.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen
“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24, ESV
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
This is so beautiful, Richard. So very well-worded. SO important for every Christian to know, even if you don't have children. It's good to be reminded that someone is always watching us, and you will never know if your one act of kindness or word of sincere faith or testimony might have an impact and be used by the Holy Spirit to sow some spiritual seeds that will turn into salvation! Thank you for this one... it's a keeper!