Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is braver five minutes longer.” The same is true for a good father. When he feels fear about meeting monthly bills, or his child possibly doing drugs, or paying for college, he digs deep and determines to do the right thing and stick it out. He keeps his promises. He keeps his word to his kids. He leads a life of self-sacrifice so his children may live better than he did.

Have you ever been on a mission trip to a third world country? If so, you probably fed people. In third world countries, people crave basic needs, like food and water. When you meet people’s needs, you get their attention. So missionaries often reach people for Christ by providing food or medical help.

In our first-world culture, most people’s basic needs are already met. What people crave is higher on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: love and belonging. Family First’s mission is to reach people by meeting those needs, by providing parenting and relational truth that works. But according to the Pew Institute, many Millennials don’t think they need God.

My dad was an incredibly talented man. I actually think he could have been president of the United States. People loved him and I adored him. He gave me a love for the outdoors. He taught me the importance of family and relationships. We shared many deep and philosophical conversations.