Forging the Family Man: Psalm 112

At the beginning of the calendar year, I created a year-long Bible reading plan for myself with the help of AI called “Forging the Family Man.” Since Ezra is due in June, I made the first 6 months of the plan for soon-to-be fathers, and the next 6 months for first-time fathers.  
Before I get into the weeds, I want to make clear that I did not use AI to write any devotionals, commentary, or lessons of any kind; I still use my physical Bible and journal for my devotionals. I simply used it to gather and list off different Bible verses that deal with the subject of fatherhood, marriage, integrity, so on and so forth. This past week, the reading plan brought me to Psalm 112, which says this: 
Praise the Lord! Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in his commandments! His offspring will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.  -Psalm 112:1–2 (ESV)
This hit close to home for me as an expectant father. My obedience to God directly affects the lives of my children. I’m sure that you’ve heard the saying. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” There is certainly some truth in that. Generational cycles are real and can be blessing or a curse, and so much of it hinges on the father’s habits and behaviors. Although God has the power to break these cycles, we as men have a responsibility to foster all that God has given to us. According to Psalm 112, one of the ways that we steward our families well is by 1) stewarding our material possessions well and 2) being steadfast in the midst of trials:  
He has distributed freely; he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever... (v9)
He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord. His heart is steady; he will not be afraid, until he looks in triumph on his adversaries. (v7-8)
I am very fortunate to come from a line of selfless, generous men who have stewarded their blessings well and have cared for those around them. Herschel Casey, my grandfather, wisely set up a retirement account. Since he passed in 2003, my grandmother, Bonita (one of our most loyal followers on Facebook- love you, Nana!) has been well taken care of and has been able to bless others- all because of his wisdom, prudence, and faithful stewardship. 
Frank Stanfill, my paternal grandfather, grew up poor in the wake of the Great Depression, and he worked very hard- even joining the National Guard- to set up his family for success, enabling my father to become a first-generation college graduate. I could fill an entire page of the things my dad has done to live out Psalm 112, but understand that this lineage of faithfulness, selflessness, and steadfastness still continues through him. 
As I look inwardly, I’ve begun to realize how much is at stake when it comes to my own faith journey. My wife and my son are directly affected by the amount of integrity, generosity, and steadfastness I display. I imagine the pressure of that responsibility will quadruple once I’m holding my son in my arms.
However, even though I am fully responsible for my obedience, God is also fully sovereign. Everything is not ultimately up to me- it's up to God. God has the final say so. No matter how good or bad of a father I am, I trust that God is working on me and is accomplishing what He has set to accomplish in my life. And that’s what I’m hanging onto: His trustworthiness and His sovereignty.  
These attributes of God are certainly applicable on Easter Sunday, when God’s sovereign plan for salvation was accomplished through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Just as He accomplished His plan for salvation, He will accomplish His plan for your sanctification! Trust in that, church!