7 DUTIES OF A GREAT DAD
By Gleno G. Narvaez
One father woke up a bit worried. Yesterday, the school teacher called up reminding him of their children's monthly school dues. He was thinking where to get the money to be able to pay the bills. Their weekly budget was already used up for other needs. Today, they have scarce of food on the table and money is yet coming in the afternoon. He was worrying and wondering what to do to be able to meet the needs of his family.
Thank God. Money came in the afternoon and some needs are met.
The above story and similar stories reflect our God-given responsibility as a father. But what are the duties of a Dad? How can one say that he is a great dad? What are the things the qualities that qualify us to be called a great dad? In few days from now the world will celebrate a very special day for Dads—the Father’s Day. I would like us to talk about this and discuss the 7 Duties of a Great Dad. Let’s begin.
How do you define Duties? Merriam-Webster defines duty as “a conduct due to parents…, obligatory tasks, service, or functions that arise from one’s position.” The 7 Duties of a Great Dad are obligations or functions that every dad must perform. Taken from the Gospel of Matthew 6:9-15, these duties are the following:
1. Availability - A great Dad is Present usually –v.6
2. Godliness - A great Dad lives righteously – v.9
3. Leadership – A great Dad leads the Family – v.10
4. Provision – A great Dad provides responsibly - v.11
5. Love – A great Dad loves unconditionally – vv. 6, 8, 12
6. Protection – A great Dad protects regularly- v.13
7. Discipline – A great Dad disciplines consistently - vv.14-15
1. AVAILABILITY - A great Dad is Present usually.
The first duty is to be available or at least to be usually present. I cannot fully comprehend the term “absentee-father”. How can a dad function if he is absent for his children and wife? A lot of studies show that the presence of a dad helps in his children’s education especially in Math, Science and Reading subjects. His presence also helps the stability and discipline of children.
A young man once told a story about his father regularly invited him to drink coffee when his father was still alive. He didn’t actually like coffee but he was just being obedient and polite to his dad. When his father died, he then realized that their coffee-time was his Dad’s way of spending time with him: mentoring and teaching him the lessons of life.
2. GODLINESS - A great Dad lives righteously.
Many months ago, I was with my family and was driving along going home. When suddenly a speedy, reckless bus passed over us almost hitting the right side of our car. Immediately my blood got over my head and I was furious. In anger, I said to myself "I will get even with this crazy man". At once, I shifted gear and started a hot pursuit. Then Bolet, my wife, who was beside me said, "Stop and let go". She added "you are a Pastor". Right there and then I mellowed, calmed down and stopped the pursuit. I remember that my children were there and could have seen my "ungodly" attitude towards the bus driver.
We have a TV ad that says "whatever an adult do, children do". The above incident and this TV ad remind us of our responsibility to be a good example to our children. It doesn't matter what we do at work or who we are in life. What matters is that we live and leave a righteous legacy to our next generation especially to our children.
3. LEADERSHIP - A great Dad leads the Family – v.10
It's Sunday. Last night I told our children that we have to be early today because we have visitors at church. Arriving visitors are Jews from the U.S. so we are excited to hear them. Since our children were born, my wife and I bring them to church on a regular weekly basis.
We do not ask them to go church. We bring them. I think every father should do. You may have heard of Samuel and Hannah, his Mom. But have you heard of Elkanah? He is the father of Samuel. The Bible says that Elkanah brought his family to church on a regular basis. 1 Samuel 1:3-4,21 (NIV)
How many fathers out there who is like Elkanah? Dads like us should take the lead not only in spiritual matters but in all areas of our family in and outside our homes. If you haven't started, it's not yet late.
4. PROVISION - A great Dad provides responsibly - v.11
In one family here in the Philippines, a wife uses the iPad. The son uses the iPhone. The daughter uses the iPod. While the father said, “For all of these, iPaid! A funny story but in reality it is the father who is responsible in giving or providing the needs (sometimes even the “wants”) of the family.
5. LOVE – A great Dad loves unconditionally
Luke 15:11-24 (NIV)
"There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.”
6. PROTECTION – A great Dad protects regularly- v.13
Last December a truck hit our town’s electric post that caused a 2-day brown out. While my family sleeps and we do not have electricity, I was compelled to use a card board to blow the heat and mosquitoes away. I believe that any father will do the same to protect their family. God has given an innate o natural instinct for all fathers to protect because it is one of our duties.
7. DISCIPLINE – A great Dad disciplines consistently - vv.14-15
About 30 minutes ago I scolded our third son and asked him to stand-in-a-corner and wait for my next instructions. He was being punished for continuously bullying and teasing his younger brother after my many attempts to stop him. I think he exceeded my tolerance so I have no choice but to discipline him. Many may not agree with the way I discipline but I would like to my make my point across.
If you have been a father for more than a year, you know it is difficult to punish our children. I would say it is heart-breaking for any parent to punish his/her child but it is necessary to teach righteousness. The Bible says in Hebrews 12:11 (NIV) “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Discipline is another expression of our love. Proverbs 13:24 says “If you don't punish your children, you don't love them. If you do love them, you will correct them.” Discipline is a God-given responsibility to parents specifically to fathers. See also Hebrews 12:7,9-11.
To all Dads out there thank you for fulfilling your God-given duties to your family. I salute you. I pray that we will continue to be courageous for the sake of our families and the next generation. May God empower us fathers to be able to continue fulfilling these God-given duties.
Finally, I would like to add and conclude that all these Duties are not only God-given they are God’s attributes toward us his children. He is our HEAVENLY FATHER, THE GREATEST DAD. He has been available for us all the time. He has been holy and wants us to be the same. He is our leader, guiding us to safety. He is provides for all our needs and sometimes even our wants. He is our loving God, loving us as far as the East is from the West. He has loved us with an everlasting love. He protects us under His wings and lovingly and patiently disciplines us when we are wrong. As we celebrate the Father’s Day today, let us be reminded that God our Heavenly Father has been fulfilling these duties to us His children because He loves us eternally. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY to you and me and TO OUR GREATEST DAD -- OUR HEAVENLY FATHER!
