Hand In Hand Proclaiming the Good News of the Gospel
June 1st 2006 Hand In Hand Ministries Publication
(Delores Adams-Heart 2 Heart)
With so many
one-parent households today,
some fathers are missing from their kids’ lives.
Others are filling the role of father to kids who have lost theirs for whatever
reason. A missing father leaves a gaping hole in kids’ development and
character. The Bible gives many instructions to fathers and their
responsibilities. In Israel, they were to talk about how God had delivered
His people from bondage and brought them to the Promise Land. They woke
their children up in the morning with the stories, told them again at the noon
meal and at the evening meal to reinforce the memory. Before they put the
little ones to bed at night, they told them again.
When they were walking down the road, it was discussed, probably filled conversation when they were on vacation. It was the number-one topic of discussion in the family. God would be pleased to have that kind of “publicity” in the family today. He is still bringing deliverance to those captive to sin and brings them out of the wilderness of Satan's snares, and He would like for fathers to remind their children of His love and concern for them so they can tell their children when they grow up and have families.
God would be pleased to have every dad as a “PR” (public relations) person on His staff.
Whether a man is a
biological father, step-father or just filling in as a surrogate parent, he has
a responsibility and a great opportunity to help mold the lives of the kids in
his charge. He will also be accountable to God for his input into their lives.
Children are commanded to obey their parents, and they should; but fathers are
to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord which will foster
obedience. Just as God doesn’t discard us when we fail, He wants fathers to
never abandon their ties and obligations to their children.
The strongest cord in the world is love. It acts like a bungee cord; it always brings the erring child back to its loving parent. The parent refuses to turn the cord loose; so every time the child strays; it is still connected to the caring parent like an umbilical cord which brings life to the unborn baby. With the slightest loosening grip of the child to his destructive behavior, it will bounce back to the love of his father.
That’s the kind of love God has for each of us, and it is best demonstrated when displayed in the lives of fathers who allow God to love their children through him. I have a word picture below of an ideal father. Yes, I know I am not a father, but I can see the portrait God painted in His word for fathers. And I also had a father who was not perfect, but who loved his children and was very proud of their accomplishments as they grew up. I still remember the basketball games he took me and some of my friends to when we played our band instruments to boost our home team. Memories flood upon memories, and they are special.
F A T H E R
F- Forgiving, as God forgave him
A- Available, at the “drop of a hat" his pet projects
T- Trustworthy, has his kids’ confidence
H- Hears the heartbeat of his kids. He is a ‘listener.’ Considerers their ideas
E- Ethical, unquestionable character
R- Reciprocal Receiver. Accepts his children's love, loves them unconditionally, and lets them know
“Beware lest your footprints on the sands of time leave only the marks of a heel” (from “God’s Little Instruction Book II”). Unlike footprints in the sand that will be washed away with the evening tide, the prints dad is making now will be stamped on his children, and the “mark” will remain with them all their lives, even into another generation.
In his book “Grace for the Moment,” Max Lucado mentions how little legs stretch to try to walk in the same footprints left by his father in the snow. It’s not an easy task, so fathers need to make it worthwhile for the little guy’s effort. Max notices that when the father is aware of his son’s effort, he slows and shortens his stride. There’s a world of meaning in that! It shows compassion and makes the job of keeping up a little easier for his follower. The key here is that the father is aware that someone is stepping in his footprints. With that awareness, he will be careful of his own steps.
“Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; and make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame [weak, inexperienced] be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed [strengthened, matured]” (Hebrews 12:12).
“The
steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and he delighteth in his way”
(Psalm 37:23). Just as God delights in men walking in the steps He has
ordered, fathers can rejoice that they are walking in a “Delightful Way” so that
their children can walk in their steps and please the Lord too. An awesome
job, but filled with “delight.”
Dads, be “there” for your kids. They will never forget you, and it is up to you to create memories that will bring a smile many years down the road, long after you have left this world. You will also see yourself as your character is acted out in your offspring toward their own children. Furthermore, you will be rewarded by your Heavenly Father for your faithfulness.
Being a “Father” according to God’s standards has great rewards, some now and some throughout eternity. What God wants is for dads to be the kind of father that He, our Heavenly Father, is so that the world will come to know Him, trust Him and obey Him. You can do it, dads, if you will come to know Him, trust Him and obey Him.
And, ye fathers provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord
Dads, don’t forget
to honor your own father on this special day. Though they don’t always show it,
dads (and even fathers-in-law) would appreciate knowing you care enough to say
“I love you, Dad!” If your dad is no longer living, you can still honor him by
having happy thoughts of him and being thankful for him.
The commandment to “Honor your father and your mother” is not nullified by their deaths. It’s just plain spiritually and emotionally healthy to “Honor your father and your mother” (alive or deceased) even if you feel they don’t deserve it. It doesn’t appear that the commandment was conditional. Just do it because God said to and leave the rest to Him
It’s not hard at all for me because I had a great dad. I have paid him honor on our family web site. You can see his page by going to the link below where you can also find his autobiography that I found in his journal.
Delores Adams Copyright © 2006 All rights reserved
Delores writes, "Though recently transplanted to
My dad's page at our family web site http://kelseyadamsfamily.com
View another Father's Day message by Delores here http://theresgoodnews.com
Delores Adams Ministries Website: Heart to Heart Ministry
mail to: rubydelores@wowway.com
Hand
In Hand Ministries is an Internet Ministry of Faithful Christians
joining hands together all around the world, for the sole purpose of
promoting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Statement of Faith
{We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible authoritative Word of God} {We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit} {We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was conceived of the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, was crucified, died, was buried, resurrected, ascended into heaven, and is now seated at the right hand of God} {We believe in the personal salvation of believers through the shed blood of Jesus Christ} {We believe in the personal resurrection of the dead, the eternal happiness of the saved, and the eternal punishment of the lost} {We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit, by whose indwelling we are enabled to live a Godly life, with all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operational in the Body of Christ today} {We believe in the Christian's hope, the soon coming return of the Lord Jesus Christ}