A group of
expectant fathers was in a waiting room, while their wives were in the process
of delivering babies. A nurse came in and announced to one man that his wife
had just given birth to twins. "That's quite a coincidence" he
responded, "I play for the Minnesota Twins!" A few minutes later,
another nurse came in and announced to another man that he was the father of
triplets. "That's amazing," he exclaimed, "I work for the 3M
Company." At that point, a third man slipped off his chair and lay down on
the floor. Somebody asked him if he was feeling ill. "No," he
responded, "I happen to work for the 7-Up company."
Today is
Father’s Day. This is a day when fathers
all over the United States receive beautiful ties and power tools as
gifts. They receive the tie so they can
look nice at least once during the year and the power tools because there are
things that need to be fixed around the house.
I often wonder what would happen to the father if he decided to get the
mother a power tool, like a vacuum cleaner, for Mother’s Day. I believe if the father did that he might be
getting out of the hospital by Father’s Day.
Fathers have a
great responsibility. First, they are to “train up a child in
the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it,”
(Proverbs 22:6 NASB). This training is
more than telling a child what to do or how to act; it is modeling it for
them. Children learn more from watching
your actions than what you say. Want
them to pray more; you pray more. Want
them to read the Bible more; you read it more.
Want them to attend church; you attend church with them. Want
them to avoid bad habits; do not participate in the bad habits either.
Second, be an
encourager to your children. I have
found out, sometimes the hard way, that my tastes do not extend onto my
children. They are unique individuals
and will like different things than you.
If they have an interest in something, even if you do not enjoy the
activity or even understand the activity, encourage them to partake in the
activity. Fathers are admonished in the
Holy Scripture not to embitter the children unless they become discouraged, “Fathers,
do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged,” (Colossians
3:21 NIV). Encourage them when it comes
to various endeavors.
Third
be an imitator of God, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because
you are His dear children. Live a life
filled with love, following the example of Christ,” (Ephesians 5:1,2a NLT). Children will imitate those that have an influence
on their lives. Be the model that you
want your children to become. Live a
life that follows the example of Christ and your children will follow your
example.
Today
is Father’s Day, but for me I call it Daughter’s Day. If it were not for my two daughters I would
not be a father. While it is officially
called Father’s Day, I will be celebrating Daughter’s Day.
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