The Good Dad, by Jim Daly - Book Review

As a single mother who raised a son, I approached Jim Daly's new book, The Good Dad, with a bit of trepidation. Would I find reproach for my son's absent dad? Would I find yet one more prophecy of fatherless boys growing into men who cannot be good fathers? or...from the man who heads the ministry of Focus on the Family...would I find hope?




I found hope.


And a few lessons to pass to my son, who is now the loving (and extremely attentive) father of his own infant son.



"In a few short minutes, a man can become a father. But so many don't realize what a father is or what it means."-Jim Daly

Daly shares his own story in this book - they story of a boy abandoned by his own father and then abandoned by his step-father before he was a teen. Daly shares his pain, his confusions, his longing for a real father. He shares the lessons he learned on his own path to adulthood and eventual fatherhood. 

Is he perfect? Nope. 

Are his lessons in fatherhood only for men who didn't have fathers - or "good" fathers? Nope.

Daly's lessons are gentle reminders to all fathers - and to all those wonderful men who step in when dad isn't (or wont) be around. Part practical hands-on tips, part philosophy of parenting, part ministry - and all towards the benefit of dad and his children - Daly shares his hard-earned wisdom with the aim towards helping every man realize that with God he can be an amazing dad - a dad who inspires his children, a dad who can share love and loving discipline with his children, a dad who raises children who praise God and praise him as a Godly father.

"We should never let a moment slip by when we can show our kids that we love them."-Jim Daly

I read this with two fingers crossed behind my back that it would have a message of hope for men who were not raised by or with "good dads" - and I am blessed with the message I received.

Jim Daly is the President and CEO of Focus on the Family, a global Christian ministry dedicated to helping families thrive.

The Good Dad is published by Zondervan. It can be purchased for $15.99 directly from Zondervan, or at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or other fine booksellers.

Religion, Christian Life, Spiritual Growth; Teen/Adult

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson through BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trace Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."