David Kraft was a big, strong man -- all muscle. At the age of 32, he was six feet, two inches tall and weighed 200 pounds. He had been to seminary and ended up working with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, because of his athletic background.

Then he was diagnosed with cancer. It wracked his body, and over time, he dropped from 200 pounds to 80 pounds.

When he was about ready to pass from this life into eternity, he asked his father to come into his hospital room. Lying there in bed, he looked up and said, "Dad, do you remember when I was a little boy, how you used to hold me in your arms close to your chest?"

David's father nodded. Then David said, "Do you think, Dad, you could do that one more time? One last time?"

Again, his father nodded. He bent down to pick up his 32-year-old, six-foot, two-inch, 80-pound son, and held him close to his chest, so that the son's face was right next to the father's face. They were eyeball to eyeball. Tears were streaming down both faces, and the son said to his father, "Thank you for building the kind of character into my life that can enable me to face even a moment like this."

We live in a sin struck world and, inevitably, our children will face many challenges along the way. However, that’s where a Father steps in. In your role, as a leader in the home, God has given you the opportunity to invest into building your children’s character and instilling in them the ways of the Lord. If we give our children a firm foundation, set on Christ, then we can trust that they will be able to face whatever comes their way. We may not be able to keep them from experiencing pain and difficulties, but we can assure them that they will never face these trials alone because Jesus is always with them, and as human fathers, we will love and carry them as well.

Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, allow me to be an example of you to my children. Give me the strength to invest into developing their character and setting a firm foundation built on you. Let my life actively demonstrate the peace, joy, love, and strength that comes from placing our trust and hope in you. I ask that whatever my children face in this life, that you would carry them through, just as you have carried me. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name, amen.

1. Deuteronomy 1:30-31 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Crystal B.