Fathers

 

When they came home from school disappointed about something or looking for a snack, the first thing out of most children’s mouth is, “Where’s Mom?” When money is needed or a parental final decision has to be made it’s always, “Go ask your father.” Such is the common pecking order in the typical family. Moms are always needed, expected to be on call 24-7. Dads, well… perhaps not so much, until maybe there’s a loud thunderstorm, or when there’s something lurking outside a bedroom window, or when a bicycle is broken, or when it comes time to acquire a driver’s license, or… well you get the idea. Most dad’s sort of figure that “need” and “love” go hand in hand. To be needed is a way of being loved by family. Dad’s like for their children to depend on them since they have a heart full of love for them. Dad’s want their children to need him and love him. It’s an outright shame that some of the world portrays the father figure as an oppressive, domineering dictator who enslaves a woman to have his children and then abandon the whole situation to pursue his own desirers in life. That’s like saying, “I’ve had three flat tires in my fifty years of driving so in my mind all tires are weak and can’t wait for the opportunity to ruin my day with another flat.” Yep, makes about as much sense. Unfortunately, there are some deadbeat dads out there, but I’m happy to say the family as a whole is still intact and fathers are doing a great job with wonderful kids.

Here are a few quotes from some people you may be familiar with, name wise anyway, that may surprise you. * “My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person… he believed in me.” – Jim Valvano * “A father carries pictures in his wallet where his money used to be.” – Steve Martin * “When a father gives to his son; both laugh. When a son gives to his father; both cry.” – William Shakespeare * “By profession I am a soldier and take great pride in that fact, but I am also prouder, infinitely prouder, to be a father. A soldier destroys in order to build; the father only builds, never destroys.” – Douglas MacArthur * “The older I get, the smarter my father seems to get.” – Tim Russert * A father sits back and sighs, and maybe even sheds a tear, when a son or daughter rings the phone just to say, “Thanks, dad. I love you.”

[Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21] “A father is neither an anchor to hold us back nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” – Unknown

Our God is the greatest father ever, period. He invites all of his children to trust in him. Peter wrote, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6-7). Needing God and leaning upon God like a father is a way that we express our love for him. John writes to the baptized believers in Christ: “How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure” (1 John 3:1-3). Isn’t it great to know God does not have any grand-children, or step-children. God has only children, born of the spirit (John 3:1-8) as God is spirit. “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Fathers, you have no idea what the Lord has in mind for your children’s future. Teach them to be responsible living in this life and prepare them for the next life – eternal life with God the Father.