The man we know as an author, Bible teacher, and church leader is known by his four daughters as simply Dad.
With Father’s Day approaching, Alex Strauch’s daughter Alexis Smelker, a member of the BER core team, reflects this week on her dad’s legacy in her life.
“Join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” Philippians 3:17
Not all children have the great privilege of having a deep relationship with their parents or want to strive to be just like them. My dad is one of my best friends today and we talk almost daily. My children love their Papa and spend time with him at least once a week. The best part is, even his son-in-law loves to be with him.
Although not all have this, I lay before you a man to keep your eyes on, not just for his example of wholeheartedly following after Christ, but as an example of the kind of father you should want to be.
“I don’t ever remember my dad talking about himself.
I never knew he was a gifted leader or teacher—he was just Dad,
who always put someone else first.”
Some of the great traits of my dad are his love, his sincere interest in others, and his absolutely huge personality. In all his gifts, he has always been single-minded in using them for the building of the church.
Dad has always loved his work in the Lord. When I was a young child, our church was our home. My sisters and I spent our summers running through the building. We had a classroom devoted just to our dolls and toys. We loved all the people who came through our home and had weekly lunches with new people, and many lived with us for seasons of time. However, I don’t ever remember my dad talking about himself. I never knew he was a gifted leader or teacher—he was just Dad, who always put someone else first.
That included investing in us as children. He didn’t preach at us or bang the Bible over our heads. We actually just loved learning together. We read many biographies as a family on great Christian leaders, and we did family devotions in settings where we sat around and talked. Often my little sister was crawling under the table, tying shoelaces together to see who she could get to trip.
He was kind and gentle. When we occasionally slipped up, he didn’t become critical, or harsh, just faithful and moved on quickly. He is a balanced man, not prone to strange ideas or methods for life. You never wondered what to expect; he was just faithful.
“He didn’t preach at us or bang the Bible over our heads.
We actually just loved learning together.”
Today, he does the same with my own children. He never has told me how to parent but always encouraged me to be patient and understanding. He is faithful to his grandkids.
My dad has gone on to be resolute in finishing his race working all for the Lord. He works sunup to sundown on his writing and preaching ministry at the age of 76, yet, not one of his daughters or grandchildren would be afraid to interrupt him. He is willing to drop anything, for any need. You can always get him to take you out to lunch.
Both of my parents have faithfully devoted themselves to the Word and prayer. Their example has made each of his daughters lifelong Bible readers.
Dad loves his church. He showed us how to talk to all people, care for all people, and even endure difficult church problems. This has blessed my family as we have gone on to work for the Lord.
“A father does not need to be left wondering how to teach his child,
how to reprove, how to correct, or how to train.”
how to reprove, how to correct, or how to train.”
Today, he regularly takes hikes with his grandkids and teaches them about birds and nature, always pointing back to a big God. I’m so thankful for how he loves to direct my children back to the Lord in a patient and kind manner.
If I could give some recommendations for fathers from the example I had before me, I would say the best workers for the Lord are the ones who “walk according to the example” set forth in the Scriptures. “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). A father does not need to be left wondering how to teach his child, how to reprove, how to correct, or how to train. Through the words of Scripture and the examples set forth, every father can be prepared, and you will have a great legacy in the eyes of your child.