Do the Dough, Daryl!

If you’re old enough to remember Hungry Howie’s old commercials, you might recall the catchy phrase “Do the Dough, DARYL!” It was silly, fun, and unforgettable—something that stuck in people’s minds long after the pizza box was empty.

For me? It was another one of those dumb phrases that used my name in a derogatory way. Similar to “DARYL‘s other brother DARYL“ on the Bob Newhart show. To this day. I still get people asking me how my other brother, DARYL is. I always respond by saying “I’m the other brother, DARYL.“

Then… This week I’m reading in Judges 10:1 and the Lord introduces me to a grandfather named Dodo… (pronounced "Dough-Dough")… Go figure…

“After Abimelek, Tola son of Puah, the son of Dodo, a man of Issachar, arose to save Israel. He lived in Shamir, in the hill country of Ephraim.”

Tola became one of the judges of Israel, but notice what’s tucked into that verse: his grandfather’s name—Dodo. That detail may seem minor, but God doesn’t waste ink. The Spirit made sure I knew that Tola wasn’t just a man of Issachar; he was the grandson of Dodo.

Grandfathers Shape Legacies

Why mention Dodo at all? Because God wanted to remind me grandfathers matter. Their names, their choices, their values ripple forward into generations. Even though Dodo never sat as judge, his grandson did. The seeds of faith, courage, and identity that Dodo carried somehow made it into his family line, preparing Tola to step into his calling.

Just like pizza dough needs to be kneaded, stretched, and prepared before it becomes something that feeds others, legacies are formed over time. They don’t happen overnight. They’re built through stories told, prayers prayed, hands lifted in blessing, and lives lived faithfully.

Do the Dough for the Kingdom

When I think about that old commercial saying, “Do the Dough, DARYL!”, I can’t help but hear it now as a challenge:

• Grandfathers, do the dough. Shape the legacy you’re leaving.

• Fathers, do the dough. Live in such a way that your children see faith in action.

• Men and women of God, do the dough. What you pour into your children and grandchildren today will feed generations you may never meet.

The kingdom of God is not built in big, flashy moments but often in the quiet faithfulness of one generation handing something holy to the next.

Your Legacy Matters

Maybe your name will never be in lights. Maybe you’ll never hold a title like “Judge of Israel.” But your faith, your integrity, your prayers—they could shape the destiny of your children and grandchildren. They could be the very thing that equips your family line to rise up and save others in their time.

So here’s my encouragement today: Do the dough. Live in such a way that your legacy nourishes the kingdom for years to come.

After all, you never know—your grandson just might become a Tola.