Tuesday, May 12, 2020

The Dad Difference by Bryan Loritts



Although Dads were the intended audience, The Dad Difference: The 4 Most Important Gifts You Can Give to Your Kids, provides great instruction for both mothers and fathers.  Loritts uses the Acrostic "RITE" to flesh out the four gifts:

  • Relationship
  • Integrity
  • Teaching
  • Experiences
Within each of those areas, Loritts offers a number of ideas for implementing each area into your parenting. Using many examples from his father, Crawford Loritts, as well as examples from his own parenting journey, readers are given a glimpse into a family that, while not perfect, has been committed to following Christ in the area of parenting. And sometimes that meant modeling how to admit failure and ask forgiveness.

The author candidly shares examples of how his father handled prejudice and racial tensions with love and grace. One thing the senior Loritts was known for were his "Prayer Walks." Times when he needed to talk to God in order to work through a situation, get some perspective, or maybe just cool down before disciplining a child. What a great strategy to help parent with a clear head and godly wisdom.

Loritts addresses fatherlessness as a pandemic--particularly in the black community. Fathers who are absent or uninvolved rob children of valuable influence. In a culture where men are often bashed, ridiculed, or marginalized, Loritts' offers an alternatively hopeful and inspirational view of the potential men have to influence their children and grandchildren. Providing a godly example of manhood not only provides sons with a model to follow but also gives daughters a blueprint for finding a godly mate.

This book would make an excellent Father's Day gift for a dad of any age. It would also make an excellent book for any young man contemplating marriage. To consider the pattern he wants to create in his own marriage and family is a great way to maximize his influence and make a lasting difference for generations to come.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of The Dad Difference from NetGalley for the purpose of review. The opinions expressed are my own. No other compensation was received.

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