[Click here to listen to the sermon.]

Mothers matter. That mothers make heroic sacrifices for the life of the children – every day – goes without saying. One assumes faithful mothers. Why is it that we are grateful for faithful fathers?

Mothers seem to instinctively embrace the sacrifice involved in raising children. For mothers, to bear children is to raise children. But it seems that some men perceive fatherhood as something of a lifestyle choice. To sire children does not necessarily involve the responsibility to raise children.

But what a difference fathers make.

According to the U.S. Department of Education, children in two-parent families with highly involved fathers were 42% more likely to get mostly A’s, 55% more likely to enjoy school and 28% less likely to repeat a grade than children in two-parent families with fathers who had low involvement.

Impressive. And probably predictable. What happens when fathers are absent from the home, but remain involved in the life of their children? The impact of such fathers is even more significant when compared with absent fathers who are not involved in the life of their kids.

Children of involved fathers were 54% more likely to get mostly A’s (compared to 42% above), 70% more likely to enjoy school (compared to 55% above), and 50% less likely to repeat a grade (compared to 28% above) than were children whose non-resident fathers had low involvement.

Fathers make a difference.

But not only do fathers make a difference in the life of their kids, kids make a difference in the life of their fathers. According to recent studies:

• Good fathers are more likely to thrive in their careers than poor fathers.
• Fathers who participate in their children’s intellectual and emotional development are more likely to advance in their jobs.
• Good fathers tend to master leadership skills that encourage success.

What a difference children make.

What makes a good father also makes a good businessman and leader. At the heart of fatherhood is a man’s capacity for commitment.

• A good father sacrifices his own interest to serve the interests of others.
• A good father endures the pain associated with the right choice when the right choice is hard.
• A good father is circumspect and careful in his judgment – not leaping to conclusions but valuing and exploring the perceptions of others.

The celebration of Father’s Day is a celebration of commitment. Fathers, step up to plate.