FOCUS ON FATHERS

     My father moved into “higher service” with the Lord over three decades ago. During the years since his death, I have said on more than one occasion that I have learned more from him since he died than when he was alive. What is meant by my statement is that I have had many opportunities to recall his wise sayings, remember his example, and reflect on his influence.

     As my own children began to graduate high school, attend and graduate from college, move into jobs in New York City, San Francisco, and Colorado, and get married, I often have wondered if I was successful in imparting enough good stuff in them to help them along the journey of life. My guess is that most dads wonder the same thing and perhaps wish that they could have a “do over” in their efforts to raise their children.

    Fathers have an incredible privilege, opportunity, and responsibility to set an example for and to be an influence on their children. A poem by Melba O’Neal depicts the example dads need to set for their children and the reason for such example.     

 

“Walk a little plainer, Daddy,” said a little boy so frail.

“I’m following in your footsteps and I don’t want to fail,                                 

Sometimes your steps are very plain – sometimes they are hard to see 

So walk a little plainer Daddy, for you are leading me.”

“I know that once you walked this way, many years ago,

And what you did along the way, I’d really like to know

For sometimes, when I am tempted, I don’t know what to do;

So walk a little plainer, Daddy, for I must follow you.”

“Someday when I’m grown up, you are like I want to be;

Then I will have a little boy, who will want to follow me.

And I would want to lead him right, and help him to be true;

So walk a little plainer Daddy, for we must follow you.”

      I have never known a perfect father but I know a lot of men who are striving diligently to be good dads. With Father’s Day appearing on the near horizon, I’m reminded that “Any man can be a father, but it takes a special man to be a daddy.”         Dear Heavenly Father, help me to walk a little plainer for my family. Help them to see in me a husband and father who is striving diligently to lead in a manner that is pleasing to You. May I encourage other fathers to the same. Amen.                                                                                                 Daniel