A few years ago, I heard a pastor and his son speak at a men’s conference. The son told the story of when he got his fiancée pregnant, a fact he was very scared to tell his very religious parents. When he finally blurted out the news, the expecting mother burst into tears, afraid and ashamed. But the pastor and his wife looked at each other and knew exactly what to do. They showed the young couple grace. The pastor’s wife embraced her grandchild’s mother in a massive hug. Her husband told his son he loved him, he forgave him, and Jesus forgave him too. The couple had expected crossed arms and scowling judgment. Instead they experienced a glimpse of God’s heart.

The apostle Paul would have applauded those parents. He once wrote, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). A massive, and often overlooked, part of training up children is giving them grace, declaring the gospel over them, looking them in the eyes, and reminding them they are loved by God—even post-sin.

Would you join me today and pray that more and more fathers remember the heart of their Father in heaven? We are desperate for a generation that loves and obeys the commands of God. But that will only happen when the good news of unconditional love has captured their hearts. Let’s bring every child up to know the grace of God!