11" Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Although the principles are directed toward parents, one might ask why it gives specific instructions to fathers. We previously discussed how fathers traditionally have been the head of the household. When was the last time you said, “I love you.” to each child individually? How do you show it?
There has been a dramatic rise in absent fathers from the home. Where are the dads? Psychologist, Christopher Bacorn reported in Newsweek Magazine, “They are not at PTA meetings or piano recitals. They're not teaching SS, taking their children to the doctors when they are sick. They can't be seen at juvenile court when Junior is facing sentencing. Where you find many of them are at taverns drinking, conversing, playing pool. At casinos gambling, or on golf courses, tennis courts, and bowling allies. They are working at their jobs from early morning to late at night. They are watching TV or tuning up the car. They are everywhere but in the presence of their children.”
John Heiman, who was US comptroller of the currency in the Carter administration, charged with the supervision of the national banking system took his son and daughter with him to business meetings so they could see what their dad did. Sometimes he took them to formal dinners
When his son was in college, he surprised his dad by coming into one of the banking meetings dressed like a Hippie. Dad was embarrassed. When the meeting ended chairman stopped Heiman and asked. "How did you get him to come with you? My son refuses to join me in anything I do. What have you done to encourage him? What a son!” Today that young man is an officer of a bank. Time paid off.
It is time for the modern father to step up to the plate and take on the responsibility of parenting and not leaving it up to the mothers alone. The influence of a father is significant as God designed it in order to grow in our society and mature as we model Kingdom living before our kids.
We all make mistakes. I feel I have been away doing church business or tending to the flock and too often my boys came up short on my time. I sought to make it a practice to have a night a week for family time, and once a month for Daddy time with each son. I desired to make it a priority to attend concerts, games, and events whenever possible. I am grateful the church recognized that importance. Some jobs and circumstances do not allow for that.
Application: Pray every day for your family every day, even after they have left the home.
Prayer: Lord, teach us to parent to model Kingdom living.
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