The Perfect Father
"Be imitators of God...." Eph 5:1
Introduction
"You, " said the doctor to his patient, "are in terrible shape
you’ve got to do something about it. First, tell your wife to cook more nutritious meals. Stop working like a dog. Also inform your wife you’re going to make a budget , and she has to stick to it. And have her keep the kids off your back so you can relax. Unless there are some changes in your life, you’ll probably be dead in a month."
"Doc", the patient said, "this would sound more official coming from you. Could you please call my wife and give her those instructions?’ When the fellow got home, his wife rushed to him. "I talked to the doctor" she wailed poor man you only have 30 days to live".
Sometimes fathers are like Rodney Dangerfield they get no respect.
Erma Bombeck in her usual humorous way said this about fathers; "when I grew up, fathers were like refrigerator lights, every body’s house had one but no one knew what either one did once the door was shut.
Today is fathers day. Happy Fathers Day!
PRAYER.....
The need for fathers today is great: everyday in America:
. 1,000 unwed teenage girls become mothers
. 1,106 teenage girls get abortions
. 4,219 teenagers contract a STD
. 500 teens begin using drugs
. 1,000 teens begin drinking alcohol
. 135,000 kids bring a gun or other weapon to school
. 3,610 teens are assaulted, 80 are raped
. 2,200 teens drop out of school
. 7 kids (ages 10-19) are murdered
. 7 juveniles (17 and under) are arrested for murder
. 6 teens commit suicide
(Those statistics speak for themselves, many of our youth today are in turmoil)
I know there has been a lot of debate on the importance of fathers in the home in recent years. And it all really began to go public back when Dan Qualye made that comment several years ago about Murphy Brown. Let me say up front that though many single moms can and often, do a great job - it still does not diminish the importance of father’s.
Various studies conducted by Yale, John Hopkins and other groups have documented the following;
The absence of a father is a stronger factor than poverty in contributing to juvenile delinquency.
In 48 cultures around the world crime rates were highest among adults who as children had been raised solely by women.
Closeness with parents was the common factor in hypertension, coronary heart disease, malignant tumors, mental illness and suicide.
A study of 39 teenage girls suffering from anorexia nervosa showed that 36 of them had one common denominator; lack of closeness with their fathers.
An emotionally or physically absent father contributes to a child’s
(1) low motivation for achievement;
(2) inability to defer immediate gratification for later rewards;
(3) low self esteem;
(4) susceptibility to group influence and juvenile delinquency.
(Again the stats speak for themselves, father’s are important in the lives of their children, and they need to be there not just physically but emotionally as well).
And let me say something up front again, when I say fathers, I am not referring solely to biological fathers; I am also speaking of step-dads as well.
Over 40% of all marriages in the US involve a remarriage of 1 or both parties. 1 out of 3 americans (80 million people) is either a step parent, step child or step sibling. 1 out of 5 children under the age of 18 is a step child. And by the year 2,000 step families (involving 1 spouse who has children) and complex families (in which both spouse have children) will soon be the majority.
Now, If you’re like most men - even those who had a poor or harmful experience with their own fathers - you have a general idea of the kind of father you want to be. You have a picture in your mind of what a model father looks like: you want to be the kind of father:
whose children feel secure, confident, loved and accepted
whose children save sex for marriage, and remain faithful to their spouse in marriage.
whose children develop a reputation as men and women of integrity; honest, ethical,
hardworking.
whose child might say, "my dad keeps his promises.
whose children stand up to unhealthy peer pressure, children who develop healthy friendships,.
whose kids say no to drugs and alcohol and risky behavior.
whose children quickly admit their mistakes, who are forgiving and patient with others and who enjoy a healthy sense os self- esteem and self confidence.
whose children have a hard time picking out a fathers day card (not because they say too much but say too little)
That’s the kind of father we all want to be. That’s the kind of father I want to be. But I know that I am not all I should be. And I know that for me to do this I need a model, I need an example of a father that I can pattern myself after, a father from who I can learn from and imitate.
But just where do you find such a father? Where do you look? Who is the model father, it certainly isn’t me.
Is there even such a thing as a perfect father?
Yes there is and I’d like to talk about him today.
Our heavenly father is that father, He is perfect in His dealing with His children... So today (as we celebrate father’s day) we want to see what we can learn about being a father by looking at God the father.
Let’s go right to the source and look at the original, the standard of effective fatherhood - God Himself.
If we want to be a good father who better to imitate then our own heavenly father.
GOD IS:
A FATHER WHO LOVES AND ACCEPTS HIS CHILDREN
Many passages of scriptures throughout the bible speak of God’s love for His children
"We love because God first loved us..." 1 John 4:19
"But God showed His great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners..." Rom 8:5
God did not wait for us to meet His expectations; He did not wait for us to make Him proud. He did not wait until we measured up to His standards, He simply loved us and He loved us first.
Not only that, but he showed/he demonstrated his love for us in tangible ways. You see, He is not the kind of father who has trouble hugging a child or saying "I love you." God is not the kind of father who has more important things to do.
In the Old Testament we see God demonstrating His love for His children by:
Choosing them;
"The Lord did not care for you and choose you because there were many of you-you are the smallest nation of all. But the Lord choose you because He loved you....." Dt 7:7,8 (NCV)
Leading them;
"In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your Holy dwelling."
Ex 15:13
Blessing them;
"He will love and bless you. He will make the number of your people grow; He will bless you with children. He will bless your fields with good crops and will give you grain, new wine and oil..." Dt 7:13
Forgiving them;
"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is lover for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us..."
Ps 103:12
And in the New Testament God;
spoke his love for us in the word.
showed his love on a cross.
wrote his love for us in his blood.
and poured His loved on us through adoption (Behold what love...)
The father loves us first and foremost (even the death of His 1 and only son could not stand in the way), And He also loves us forever, many scriptures talk of God’s enduring love... this phrase occurs 26 times in Psalm 136 alone...
"Give thanks to the Lord, for the Lord is good; His love endures forever." Ps 136:1
The father’s love for us is complete, constant and unconditional. We cannot earn it. We cannot escape it. We can not erase it.
He may be angry when we disobey Him, or saddened when we stray from Him, or sorrowful when we sin, but He never, never, never stops loving us; our father’s unconditional love for us is such that:
"neither death nor life, neither angels, nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, not anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39
THAT’S THE KIND OF FATHER I WANT TO BE!
I WANT MY KIDS TO KNOW THAT I ACCEPT AND LOVE THEM. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I LOVED THEM LONG BEFORE THEY COULD RETURN MY LOVE. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I LOVED THEM WHEN THEIR PRIMARY INTERACTION WITH ME INVOLVED BOTTLES, BURPS AND DIRTY DIAPERS. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT MY LOVE FOR THEM IS NOT BASED ON ANYTHING THEY DO OR DON’T DO, BUT ON WHO THEY ARE.
(JOHN TRENT - IN HIS BOOK THE BLESSING TELLS THE STORY OF WHEN HE TOOK HIS 3 YR OLD TO THE MALL - AND SHE ALWAYS WANTED TO GET A GUM BALL - OUT OF THE BIG MACHINE... WELL ONE TIME SHE PUT HER QTR IN - AND NO GUM BALL CAME OUT - HARD TO EXPLAIN WHY TO A 3 YR OLD.. TRENT GOES ON TO SAY THAT SO MANY KIDS DO WHAT THEY THINK WILL GET A BLESSING FROM THEIR DAD - AND NOTHING COMES OUT - SOME DADS JUST KEEP THIER BLESSINGS OUT OF REACH)
I ALSO WANT MY KIDS TO KNOW THAT I LOVE THEM FOREMOST. MY JOB IS NOT MORE IMPORTANT THEN THEY ARE. MY HOBBIES ARE NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEY ARE. MY FRIENDS ARE NOT MORE IMPORTANT THAN THEY ARE. MY LOVE FOR THEM IS FOREMOST.
FINALLY, I WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO MY CHIDDEN THAT I LOVE THEM FOREVER. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT I ACCEPT THEM AND LOVE THEM NO MATTER WHAT.
THEY DON’T HAVE TO EARN MY LOVE.
THEY CANNOT ESCAPE MY LOVE.
AND THEY CAN NEVER ERASE MY LOVE.
THAT’S THE KIND OF FATHER I WANT TO BE...
A FATHER WHO ENCOURAGES
THROUGHOUT SCRIPTURE YOU FIND GOD ENCOURAGING HIS CHILDREN...
HE ENCOURAGED MOSES AT THE BURNING BUSH WHEN HE TOLD HIM TO DELIVER THE NATION OF ISRAEL.
HE ENCOURAGED GIDEON BY CALLING HIM A MIGHTY WARRIOR
HE ENCOURAGED JOSHUA AS JOSHUA SET OUT TO CONQUER THE PROMISE LAND...
GOD ENCOURAGED JEREMIAH AS HE CHOSE HIM TO BE HIS PROPHET
GOD ENCOURAGED THEM WITH HIS WORDS, WITH HIS PRESENCE AND WITH HIS ASSISTANCE.
"HAVE I NOT COMMANDED YOU? BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. DO NOT BE TERRIFIED; DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH WHEREVER YOU GO." JOSHUA 1:9
GOD SAW THE THINGS HIS CHILDREN COULD DO AND HE ENCOURAGED THEN TO GO OUT AND DO THEM.
I WANT TO BE THAT KIND OF FATHER. A FATHER WHO ENCOURAGES WITH HIS WORDS, PRESENCE AND ASSISTANCE.
DAN BENSON IN HIS BOOK THE TOTAL MAN TELLS HOW ONE SURVEY REVEALED THAT PARENTS AVERAGE TEN NEGATIVE COMMENTS TO THEIR CHILDREN FOR EVERY POSITIVE ONE. YET BENSON OBSERVES, "EXPERTS IN CHILD PSYCHOLOGY BELIEVE THAT IT TAKES AT LEAST 4 POSITIVE REMARKS TO OFFSET THE DAMAGE TO SELF-ESTEEM CAUSED BY JUST ONE NEGATIVE COMMENT."
MOST PARENTS, NO MATTER HOW SPIRITUAL OR CONSCIENTIOUS ARE MORE PRONE TO SEND MESSAGES LACED WITH CRITICISM, COMMANDS OR DEMANDS - THEN WITH Encouragement. MANY TIMES WE AS PARENTS SPEND MORE TIME TELLING OUR KIDS WHAT THEY DID WRONG OR FAILED TO BE RATHER THAN WHAT THEY DID RIGHT AND WHAT THEY CAN BE...
THAT’S WHY IT’S SO IMPORTANT TO WATCH OUR WORDS. THE APOSTLE PAUL ADMONISHES US; "DO NOT LET ANY UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT OFF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY WHAT IS HELPFUL; FOR BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR
NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO
LISTEN.." -- EPH 4:29
(NOW THAT CERTAINLY APPLIES TO OUR CHILDREN)
I MUST CONFESS THAT I HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO ON THIS... I AM NOT THE ENCOURAGER TO MY KIDS THAT GOD IS TO ME. BUT I DO WANT MY WORDS TO ENCOURAGE MY KIDS, TO BUILD CHELSEA, JOHN AND LEILA UP AND SPUR THEM ON.
I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF FATHER WHO ENCOURAGES MY CHILDREN TO CHASE THEIR DREAMS, ACCOMPLISH THEIR GOALS AND FULFILL THEIR GOD GIVEN DESTINY.
A FATHER WHO COMFORTS AND SUPPORTS
14 YEAR OLD AMY VIVIDLY REMEMBERS THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED. SHE WAS 5 YEARS OLD. A THUNDERSTORM OUTSIDE HER BEDROOM WINDOW WOKE HER UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT. FRIGHTENED OF THE DARK, AND OF THE ROARING THUNDER OUTSIDE, SHE LEAPED FROM HER BED AND RAN, CRYING INTO HE PARENT’S BEDROOM.
SHE PADDED TO THE SIDE OF THE BED AND, CRIED SOFTLY FOR HER MOTHER. BEFORE HER MOTHER COULD RESPOND, HOWEVER, HER FATHER WOKE UP.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT OF BED?" HE SAID, ANGRY AT HAVING BEEN AWAKENED, "GET BACK IN YOUR OWN ROOM."
"BUT DADDY, I’M SCARED," SHE ANSWERED, CRYING HARDER.
"I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT. YOU’RE A BIG GIRL AND IT’S TIME YOU START ACTING LIKE ONE." AMY SHOT A PLEADING GLANCE AT HER MOTHER, WHO SAT UP IN BED, BUT HER MOTHER ONLY STARED AT THE FLOOR.
"DID YOU HEAR ME?" HER FATHER SHOUTED, CAUSING AMY TO JUMP. "I SAID GET BACK TO BED. AND DON’T BOTHER US AGAIN."
AMY LEFT HER PARENTS BEDROOM AND WALKED TO THE BATHROOM. SHE TURNED ON THE LIGHT, LOCKED THE DOOR BEHIND HER AND SPENT THE REST NIGHT OF THE NIGHT IN THE TUB, CRYING, AND SHUDDERING AT EVERY CRACK OF THUNDER. THE SCENE WAS REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE AMY LEARNED NOT EXPECT COMFORT FROM HER FATHER. UNTIL AGE 10, SHE SPENT STORMY NIGHTS CRYING IN THE BATHTUB, WITH THE LIGHT ON AND THE DOOR LOCKED.
AMY’S STORY IS TRUE. SHE HAS SINCE GOTTEN OVER HER FEAR OF THUNDERSTORMS, BUT SHE STILL SUFFERS THE RESULTS OF THE LACK OF COMFORT AND SUPPORT FROM HER FATHER.
AND THE RESULTS CAN BE DEVASTATING. ACCORDING TO DR DAVID FERGUSON AND DR DON MCMINN OF THE CENTER FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY INTIMACY, A PERSON WHOSE NEED FOR COMFORT AND SUPPORT IS NOT BEING MET IS LIKELY TO FEEL DISCOURAGED, ALONE, EMPTY AND TIMID. SUCH A PERSON IS PRONE TO PROMISCUITY, FEAR OF FAILURE, WEARINESS TOWARD LIFE, AND A OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE ORIENTATION.
A YOUNG PERSON WHO DOESN’T EXPERIENCE A FATHER’S COMFORT AND SUPPORT WILL FIND IT MORE DIFFICULT TO HANDLE FEELINGS OF INSECURITY AND WITHSTAND UNHEALTHY PEER PRESSURE, THEY MAY EXPERIENCE TROUBLE FORMING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO SUCCUMB TO THE PRESSURE TO BECOME SEXUALLY ACTIVE IN AN EFFORT TO MEET THOSE EMOTIONAL NEEDS.
ON THE POSITIVE SIDE, A YOUNG PERSON WHO DOES RECEIVE A FATHER’S COMFORT AND SUPPORT IS MORE LIKELY TO FEEL LOVED, GRATEFUL AND HOPEFUL AND TO BE CARING COMPASSIONATE, POSITIVE, GIVING SENSITIVE AND SELF CONFIDENT.
AS MUCH AS I DISLIKE THE CONDUCT OF AMY’S FATHER, I MUST ADMIT THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I HAVE FAILED TO OFFER MY KIDS THE COMFORT & SUPPORT THEY NEED. BUT THAT’S NOT THE FATHER I WANT TO BE.
I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF FATHER WHO IS THERE WHEN HIS CHILDREN NEED COMFORT AND SUPPORT. I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF FATHER WHO RESPONDS SENSITIVELY TO MY CHILD’S FEARS AND HURTS,
I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF FATHER WHO BY HIS COMFORT AND SUPPORT EQUIPS HIS CHILDREN TO STAND UP TO UNHEALTHY PEER PRESSURE, BATTLE INSECURITY, BUILD HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AND EARN THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF THEIR PEERS. I WANT TO BE THE KIND OF FATHER MY FATHER IS.
YOU SEE, THE NATURE AND CHARACTER OF OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN REVEALS THAT A GODLY FATHER IS ONE WHO COMFORTS AND SUPPORTS HIS CHILDREN IN LIFE’S TRIALS AND DIFFICULTIES.
"THE RIGHTEOUS CRY OUT AND THE LORD HEARS THEM; HE DELVERS THEM FROM ALL THEIR TROUBLES. THE LORD IS CLOSE TO THE BROKEN HEARTED AND SAVES THOSE WHO ARE CRUSHED IN SPIRIT..." PS 34:17,18
"SHOUT FOR JOY, O HEAVENS; REJOICE, O EARTH; BURST INTO SONG, O MOUNTAINS! FOR THE LORD COMFORTS HIS PEOPLE AND WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON HIS AFFLICTED ONES." IS 49:13
"PRAISE BE TO THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF COMPASSION AND THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TROUBLES SO THAT WE CAN COMFORT THOSE IN ANY TROUBLE WITH THE COMFORT WE OURSELVES HAVE RECEIVED FROM GOD."
2 COR 1:3,4
GOD’S COMFORT EXTENDS TO "ALL OF OUR TROUBLES." HE COMFORTS AND SUPPORTS US WHEN WE SUFFER PERSECUTION FOR HIS NAME’S SAKE AND WHEN WE SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF OUR OWN STUPID BEHAVIOR.
HE COMFORTS US WHEN WE DESERVE IT LEAST. HE EVEN COMFORTS US WHEN WE’RE TRAPPED IN A MESS OF OUR OWN MAKING.
HE SUPPORT US WHEN WE ARE WEAK AND HE COMFORTS US WHEN WE FALL.
THAT’S THE KIND OF FATHER I WANT TO BE.
A FATHER WHO DISCIPLINES
GOD IS GOOD. HE IS A LOVING FATHER. HE IS A PERFECT FATHER. HIS INTENTIONS AND HIS ACTIONS ARE NEVER EVIL OR UNLOVING. YET HE DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN. HE DOES NOT DISCIPLINE IN SPITE OF HIS GOODNESS, HE DISCIPLINES BECAUSE OF HIS GOODNESS. HE DOES NOT DISCIPLINE INSPIRE OF HIS LOVE, HE DISCIPLINES BECAUSE OF HIS LOVE.
"KNOW THEN IN YOUR HEART THAT AS A MAN DISCIPLINES HIS SON, SO THE LORD YOUR GOD DISCIPLINES YOU." - DT 8:5
"THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES, AS A FATHER THE SON HE DELIGHTS IN..." PR 3:12
THE MAN WHO DISCIPLINES HIS CHILDREN IS REFLECTING THE CHARACTER OF GOD.
QUESTION; WHY DO WE DISCIPLINE OUR CHILDREN?
LET ME SHARE A COUPLE OF SCRIPTURES TO HELP US ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
"HE WHO SPARES THE ROD HATES HIS SON, BUT HE WHO LOVES HIM IS CAREFUL TO DISCIPLINE HIM..." PR 13:24
"...ALL CHILDREN ARE DISCIPLINED BY THEIR FATHERS. IF YOU ARE NEVER DISCIPLINED (AND VERY CHILD MUST BE DISCIPLINED), YOU ARE NOT TRUE CHILDREN. WE HAVE ALL HAD FATHERS HERE ON EARTH WHO DISCIPLINED US, AND WE RESPECT THEM...OUR FATHERS ON EARTH DISCIPLINED US FOR A SHORT TIME IN THE WAY THEY TAUGHT BEST. BUT GOD DISCIPLINES US TO HELP US, SO WE CAN BECOME HOLY AS HE IS. WE DO NOT ENJOY BEING DISCIPLINED. IT IS PAINFUL, BUT LATER FATHER WE HAVE LEARNED FROM IT, WE HAVE PEACE, BECAUSE WE START LIVING IN THE RIGHT WAY..."
HEB 12:7-11
WE DISCIPLINE BECAUSE:
. WE LOVE OUR CHILDREN
. TO TEACH THEM RESPONSIBILITY AND THAT WRONG ACTIONS HAVE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES
. TO HELP THEM START LIVING RIGHT
(WE DON’T WANT TO RAISE IDIOTS WHO PEOPLE DON’T WANT TO BE AROUND)
QUESTION; HOW DO WE DISCIPLINE
1) IN LOVE NOT ANGER
"THE LORD DISCIPLINES THOSE HE LOVES..."
ALL FATHERS GET ANGRY - IT BETS NOT TO DISCIPLINE RIGHT THEN."
2) BY COMMUNICATING RULES CLEARLY
MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THE RULES AND PENALTY FOR BREAKING; "NOW IF YOU DO SO AND SO, WHAT WILL HAPPEN?"
3) MAKING THE PUNISHMENT FIT THE CRIME
DIRECT DEFIANCE SHOULD HAVE A GREATER PENALTY THAN CHILD-LIKE MISTAKES...
4) PLANNING AHEAD
IF THEY DO THIS - THIS IS PUNISHMENT -- PREVENTS ANGER AND RESPONDING IN WRONG WAY AND SAYING SOMETHING YOU’LL REGRET.
5) THROUGH NATURAL CONSEQUENCES
ALLOWING THE NATURAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS TO TAKE PLACE... IF THEY FAIL TO DO A PROJECT TILL LAST MINUTE DON;T BAIL THEM OUT...
6) STICKING TO YOUR GUNS
CONSISTENCY - FOLLOWING THROUGH IS ESSENTIAL -- FALSE THREATS DO MORE HARM THEN GOOD - IF A RULE IS BENT TOO OFTEN IT WILL NO LONGER EXIST.
7) EMPLOY OCCASIONAL MERCY
A FATHER WHO IS A REFUGE
At the lowest point in his life, having been pursued and persecuted by the king (the father of his best friend), a former shepherd boy named David lived in hiding.
He had been a national hero; now he was in exile. He had been a member of the king’s court and now he sleeps in caves. He had been anointed as the next king of Israel; now his future looks dark. he had mercifully spared the king’s life; now that same king seeks his.
David’s problems loomed so large that he felt like a man among lions. He trembled like a child among hungry beasts. Finally in distress, David turned to his father, his God and cried out.
"Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until disaster has passed..." Ps 57:1-1
Within a few years, however, David became king, defeated all his enemies, united a kingdom in turmoil and won the respect and regard of his people. How were such thing accomplished? David provides the answer in later Psalms.
"I love you , O Lord, my strength. the Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
Ps 18:1-2
That’s the kind of father our God is! he is our defense, our strong tower, our refuge our hiding place.
"Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of His wings." Ps 36:7
That’s the kind of father I want to be. Oh, I know I can’t be almighty as He is, or all knowing as He is.
And yes I want my children to first and foremost turn to God as a refuge, nevertheless I still want to be a refuge. I want my kids to know that there is always a safe place that they can run to. I want them to know that they can come to me for refuge from the storms of life, from attacks the attacks of peers, from the pressures of adolescence, from disappointment, pain, heartache, ridicule and fear.
And I also know that my being a refuge will require that I be alert and observant to my children’s words and moods; it will mean that I’ll have to develop and refine the art of listening (being quick to listen and slow; to correct, reprimand, instruct and advise); it will mean I will have to be approachable (stick out your hand and I slap you in the face - how many times will you continue to approach me...) we must be approachable to our kids, if we ever expect them to come to us.
And finally I know that being a refuse will require my coming along side of my kids when they are need...HelPIng them, picking them up - so they can run the race called "life"
The 1992 Olympics in Barcelona featured memorable moments of sports history.
Derek Redmond of Great Britain was on the way to fulfilling a lifetime dream, that of winning a gold medal in the Olympics. He had earned a spot in the semifinals of the 400 meter race, and as the gun sounded to start the race, Derek got off to a great start. He was running the race of his life, and the finish line was in sight, when suddenly he felt a stab of pain in his right leg. He feel face first to the track with a torn hamstring. The race was over for Derek.
He struggled to his feet before the medical team could reach him. Though every runner had passed him, he began hopping forward, tears of pain and disappointment streaking his face, determined to finish the race. Suddenly, man plowed through the security guards on the sidelines and ran onto the track.
He raced up to Derek and hugged him, "You don;t have to do this," Jim Redmond told his weeping son.
"Yes I do," Derek answered.
"Well, then," his father said, "we’re going to finish the race together."
Derek’s father gripped his son around the shoulders, and they faced the finish line, resolutely waving off the security men who hovered around them. They limped and hopped together, Derek’s head sometimes buried in his father’s shoulder, and stayed in Derek’s lane all the way to the end.
The watching crowd gaped at first at the unusual scene. Then one by one, they rose to their feet, and began cheering and crying at the son’s determination and the father’s support.
5 qualities of God that we father’s would do well to imitate.
object review
Tall order isn’t - get connected....
