With Father's Day quickly approaching I am reminded again of the influence that we, as fathers, have on our children…for good or bad. I recently came across this true story that very candidly reflects this truth.

Many years ago a small Jewish boy asked his father, "Why must we surrender our Jewish faith and start to attend Lutheran services here in Germany?"

The father replied, "Son, we must abandon our faith so that people will accept us and support our business adventures!"

The young lad never quite got over his disappointment and bitterness. His faith in his father and in his religion were crushed. When the lad left Germany, he went to England to study at the British Museum where he formed his philosophies for life. From those intensive investigations, he wrote a book that changed the world called, The Communist Manifesto.

From that book one-third of the world fell under the spell of Marxist-Lenist ideology. The name of that little boy was Karl Marx. He influenced billions into a stream that for 70 years ruined, imprisoned and confused many lives. Today, that system of thinking is crumbling, but only after people got a good look at its tragic consequences. The influence of this father's hypocrisy multiplied in infamy. Without godly faith, all of us are subject to distortions in our perspectives.

Tragically, this true story has not ended as we look around the world today. People continue to suffer under the grip of communism. I am sure Karl's father never intended the outcome that was produced from his actions. Our influence goes further than we could even dream or think.

To be completely honest and transparent with you, I know that I have made many mistakes as a father and have had my struggles navigating through the trenches of fatherhood just as my father did. However, regardless of our mistakes as fathers, if we can impart a love for God and introduce our children to His plan of salvation, I believe we give them the necessary tools for designing their lives in Christ. It was in 1957 that I received Christ as my personal Savior which changed my life and destiny forever. I know my father's love for Christ made more of an impact on my life than his mistakes.

Today, I pray that you will feel the presence of the heavenly Father. Maybe your earthly father has disappointed you, made his fair share of mistakes or is even absent from your life, but the heavenly Father never will and He never leaves you nor forsakes you.