LEARNING DAILY

 

Colossians 3:21, Fathers do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

 

I realize Father’s Day was yesterday; it seems appropriate to say a few words on being a dad. My dad always cared about who my sister and I were and what we were doing. No, he never said much about it. I guess expressing such things was not the thing to do when I was a kid. But we could tell. I guess it was what they did for us -- even after we had left the house. As I look back, family always was important and we gathered in the house often. I have tried to show how important family is to my family as they have grown.

 

As much as I want this page of the blog to be uplifting and encouraging, I cannot help but think about the crisis around this country regarding absentee dads. I think about those who have left the home and the responsibility God has given them as fathers to be a part of raising the children. I know the difficulties of managing and balancing jobs that provide income for the family. It is not simply providing that can cause absenteeism; it is using the television, the iPhone and video games to entertain the children and only giving them leftover time.

 

I tried to give as much attention as possible to our girls and grandchildren. I still want to encourage and help them develop healthy attitudes that will carry them through life. I would like to influence and encourage through the leaving a legacy by showing them love and acceptance. That does not mean accepting behavior that is ungodly or unrighteous. I do want them to know I am always available. By now, I believe they know I will speak truth!

 

The verse from Colossians speaks of a father not being one who stirs up or causes problems for their children. Growing up has enough pressures and difficulties without dad being unfair or aggressive in their behavior towards their kids. I am not saying don’t be firm and don’t have expectations for their behavior. I am saying a dad should be an encourager and not exhibit discouraging behavior. I think both behaviors have a lasting effect on the children. It is important for fathers to show and teach God’s ways to their children. That’s the legacy I desire to leave my family with. What the child does with that becomes their choice.

 

I have been quite surprised how quickly the times goes by. Our daughters were just little girls not too ago. Then to our complete joy, there were four grandkids running around the house, spending the summers with me. That too passed very quickly and they too grew up. Mom and dad, grandma and grandpa still try to encourage all of them, praying God’s best for them and praying they walk the narrow road to God’s kingdom.

 

Never underestimate your role as a parent or grandparent in a world full of hurt and discouragement. Your involvement and your investment in your child’s life will live forever!