Posted on : 05 May, 2007
Subject : Fathers and Children
Fathers and Children
"Children, listen to the instructions of your father, and pay attention in order to gain understanding." ~ Proverbs 4:1
In the Scriptures, children are encouraged to pay attention to their father, and follow his instructions. That is as it should be, but in the present culture in the United States, many fathers are poor examples. And a child learns far more through the example of a parent than he or she will ever learn from words. A child pays attention, even when a parent assumes they are not. Very early, children begin to patterns themselves after their parent or parents.
The father should be the pillar of strength for the family, and set a good example in all things. He should be the foundation upon which the family is built. Sadly, fathers who are responsible have become ever more difficult to find. Many fathers abandon their children - and many children do not know who their father is. Many men are fiscally irresponsible - spending money on their own compulsive desires while bills remain unpaid. Or not keeping a job because of poor performance, or being lazy about work.
Or watching countless hours of sports or other programs on television, instead of reading to and playing with the children.
What example do children learn from how their father treats their mother? From the way he speaks to her? From the things they may argue about? From the names he may call her? Are they endearing names, or demeaning? What are they learning from how he treats her physically?
What example do the children learn from his personal hygiene and grooming?
From the music and the movies he likes?
What do they learn from his spending habits?
From his priorities in regard to how he spends his time?
What do the learn about his respect for others, and for the authority of the law? Do they learn honesty from their father?
And what do they learn from the spirituality of their father? Does father pray with the children? Read to them from the Scriptures? Does he worship with them? How do they hear father speak about God? [Is it only when he curses that he mentions Jesus Christ?] Is his religion part of his daily life, or only evident when he is attending church?
"Children, listen to the instruction of your father, and pay attention." Children are always noticing, even when we wish they would not. If you are a father or mother, is what the children observing really what you want to pass on to them? If not, make some course-corrections, and it will be a blessing to your children, and their children after them.
David Bruce Clark
Lion of God Ministries
www.lionofgod.com
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