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Fathers...
Written by Eli Miller
Monday, 14 June 2010 18:53
Fathers...
Fathers are unique. They are the source of a family; without them, none of us would be here. Fathers have a life-long effect upon their offspring, influencing and shaping the direction of coming generations. Ultimately, the influence of fathers shapes the entire society.
Being a father is much more involved than just having the ability to procreate - almost any healthy male can do that. A father assumes the full responsibility for his offspring. He does not expect others to nurture them, but provides for his own. He has within him an inherent sense of commitment to see his children mature and follow in his footsteps. He sees himself as the sustainer of his “creation”.
Sons and daughters will look back on the relationships with their “dads” to their dying day. Some of the memories will be recalled with fondness - others, wished to be forgotten.
A father is aware that he is the strength of his family. That strength will be used to motivate and direct his household all his days. He will either instill a proper sense of self-esteem or he cripples his posterity with continual berating.
A father realizes the training given to his sons today will help shape tomorrow. The emotional well-being of his daughters will largely depend on his own relationship with them. His influence will help prepare them for their own families and future responsibilities.
Fathers are aware that they are primarily accountable for the stability of their home. In light of this, they demonstrate dependability and integrity. Fathers will not require of others that which they would not take the initiative to do themselves. They lead by example.
The standards of a home are largely established by the example of fathers. If respect for others is inherent in dad, the rest of the family will be inclined to follow suit. If he is an example of affection and love, harmony will be the order of the day. If dad is not trustworthy, the family will begin to dissolve.
One of the greatest needs in our society is the re-establishing of positive role models in the home. Young people are looking for someone to look up to, someone to be an example. There is only one opportunity to positively influence the next generation - today. Make time for your children. If you don't - somebody will.
Fathers, this is a good time to check yourselves and see how you measure up. There is no better time than the present to go over a bit of a check-list and begin to fulfill what is your God-given role in society. The generations to come will be forever grateful.
“Children are fortunate if they have a father who is honest and does what is right.” ~ Proverbs 20:7 TEV
Western civilization has in many ways become a “throw away” society. Nothing seems to have intrinsic value, and for many people, life itself – at least in others – has been practically reduced to meaninglessness. The evening news tells us of people being murdered for a pair of shoes, or a particular brand of jacket. Countless innocent children are abducted every year and used for unthinkable perversions.
In many places it is unsafe to walk the streets of even small towns because of the disregard for the value and sanctity of human life. Assisted suicides fuel the debate of the practicality of “merciful” euthanasia – from a Greek word for a “good death” – especially as the demographics of the population is shifting when seniors will soon outnumber children. Could it be that a generation that sowed in abortion will reap euthanasia?
Could we be approaching the realities of a futuristic letter written by a "Mrs. Jane McDonald" that I ran across in my files recently, which as I read it again, caused me to shudder at the possibilities. Perhaps the time is coming when such a mindset will be more truth than fiction.
Here is a copy of the letter:
"January 22, 2023
Dear Mom,
Gosh, can you believe it’s 2023 already? I’m still writing “2022” on nearly everything. Seems like just yesterday I was sitting in first grade celebrating the century change! I know we haven’t chatted since Christmas. Sorry. Anyway, I have a few things to tell you and I really didn’t want to call and talk face to face.
Ted’s had a promotion, and I should be up for a hefty raise this year if I keep putting in those crazy hours. You know how I work at it. Yes, we’re still really struggling with the bills. You were right about over-buying on the house, but it IS nice.
Timmy’s been “okay” at kindergarten although he’s still not happy about going. But then he wasn’t happy about daycare either, so what can you do?
He’s become a real problem, Mom. He’s a good kid, but quite honestly he’s an unfair burden at this time in our lives. Ted and I have talked this through and through and finally made a choice. Plenty of other families have made it and are much better off.
I don’t expect you to “understand,” but you need to be sensitive to our circumstances. I can’t afford years of parenting with Timothy and have any sort of career, much less any time with my husband. Do you know how long it’s been since we just went out together?
Our pastor is supportive and says hard decisions sometimes are necessary. The family is a “system” and the demands of one member shouldn’t be allowed to ruin the whole. He told us to be prayerful, consider ALL the factors, and do what is right to make the family work. He says that even though he probably wouldn’t do it himself, the decision really is ours. He referred us to a children’s clinic near here, so at least that part’s easy.
I’m not an uncaring mother. I do feel sorry for the little guy. I think he overheard Ted and me talking about “it” the other night. I turned around and saw him standing on the bottom step in his pj’s with the little bear you gave him under his arm and his eyes sort of welling up. The way he looked at me just about broke my heart. But I honestly believe this is better for Timothy too. It’s not fair to force him to live in a family where there isn’t enough money or room.
Please don’t give me the kind of grief Grandma gave you over your abortions. It’s the same thing, you know. Anyway, they say the termination procedure is painless.
I guess it’s just as well you haven’t seen that much of him. Love to Dad.
Jane"
One must question how such selfish disregard for life could possibly be in the human mind. But if we just reflect on some of the atrocities committed the past few years by depraved individuals, it becomes apparent that society as we have known it is being challenged for its very existence.
Scripture is being fulfilled before our eyes: “Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil” ~ Ecclesiastes 8:11.
Regardless of what intimidating headlines might scream at us tomorrow, let’s appeal to our Maker that He open our ears to hear His word, that He gives us hearts to understand, and feet that are swift to walk in all He speaks. Allow your confidence arise to believe that He who began a good work is also able to complete it.
It is time to commit ourselves to godliness instead of gain, obedience instead of indulgence, and faith instead of frustration. May we love Him who first loved us, serve Him who first served us, and trust Him who alone is trustworthy.
It is time to present ourselves wholly to the Lord, and incline our heart to and ear to Him, committing ourselves to careful and deliberate obedience. No longer can we just go through the motions of godliness and rely on our revelation to see us through the coming days. We must allow the overcoming life of Christ to come forth in us and bear the precious fruit for which our Heavenly Husbandman has been patiently waiting.
The Apostle Paul used a couple phrases in the first chapter of Romans that should inspire us. Because he understood the great love God had for him – and for us, he said, “I am debtor… I am ready to preach… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.” (vs. 14,15,16)
I wonder if we are always ready to offer encouragement and share the gospel with others, because we have a sense of indebtedness to the Lord because of what He has done for us, or are we ashamed to be known as Christians. We don’t need to be “preachers” to preach the good news of Christ: all we need is a sense of hope and destiny.
There is so much fear and discouragement in world that a word of life can be a ray of hope to anyone. It is said that the average person influences 10,000 people in their lifetime. If that statistic is true, how have we influenced the last 100 people with whom we made contact? Did they receive something from us that inspired them positively, or was it a meaningless encounter?
Recently I have been pondering Colossians 1:26-28. This text gives an insight into what God wants us to understand and push into:
"The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus."
Life is an ongoing challenge to overcome or be overcome. Daily we face subtle demands and allurements that attempt to rob and strip us of our spiritual identity and destiny. The enemy of our soul continually tries to deceive us into believing the lie that life will always be as it has been, and that our past will continue to determine our future.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to know the mystery of Who Christ is in us and who we are in Christ. When that truth becomes a reality, we will no longer look for something outside ourselves to finish the redemption process. Neither will we look for something to happen TO us, but we will expect something to happen IN us.
