Biological dads are getting scarce today as marriage seems to be on the way out, just as living together is becoming the norm.
I especially remember one man that had a great influence on my brother and I. He worked, had callused hands, leathery skin from long hours in the sun. He did not have a fine suit to wear or a new car to drive. He raised his family in a small house. He did not have a job that made lots of money but somehow they made it on what he made. He was on time for work, a hard worker, trustworthy and honest. He had many friends and wasn’t a drinker or fighter.
On Sunday, he would put on his best clothes and take his family to Church. He tried to live the Christian life and was faithful to his wife. He prayed for each child and his wife and tried to teach them about the love of God. Many times it wasn’t easy, and he wanted to give up but wouldn’t because there were mouths to feed and bills to pay.
God is pleased when Husbands and Fathers try to live this way.
Deuteronomy 4:9,10 Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children— how on the day that you stood before the Lord your God at Horeb, the Lord said to me, ‘Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.’
Proverbs 20:7 The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!
Ephesians 6:1-4 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Next Sunday, say a special thanks to your Dad or give him a little gift or a hug if he is alive; if not say a prayer of thanksgiving to God for your dad.
See you in Church next Sunday.
Brother J