Happy Father’s Day!

It almost seems that, historically, after Mother’s Day was established, Father’s Day followed just for the sake of equal recognition. Today the role of father is under vicious attack by feminists and others who want to marginalize our importance. This is in direct rebellion against what God has said in His Word.
We have already examined the responsibility of fathers to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. But in order for a father to take this responsibility seriously, he must have a heart to do so.
Someone else has said, too many men want to live as if they are married before the wedding, and live as if they are single afterward. I have heard men talk about “my time” and “family time” in a way that implies if they tithe their leisure time to the family, they deserve a reward. The same is done with money. In contrast, Scripture indicates that parenting is a full time job for fathers as well as mothers.
This is not a new problem. Four hundred years before Christ, Malachi prophesied, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” The work of this Elijah like prophet would be to first, turn the hearts of children to their fathers and then to turn the hearts of fathers to their children. This is speaking of the importance of family relationships in the coming and spread of the Gospel. Let’s focus on ways for us as fathers to turn our hearts to our own children.
First, get a proper perspective. Though your child may be very young and foolish right now, don’t forget that he or she is made in the image of God and will develop largely as you direct. Will they know the ways of God if the instruction you gave them this week continues? Will they walk in the ways of God if they follow your example this week?
Second, accept your responsibility. When God gave you your child/children, the obligation tag was attached. If you say to your wife, “I’ll earn the living and you do the training,” you are disobeying God’s direct command. Instead, talk with some successful fathers around you about ways you can implement a regular plan of training in their lives.
Third, be patient. Too often I responded to my children’s foolishness in anger. This only made them afraid and hurt our relationship until I apologized. They are learning but we must give them time. The reward is worth the effort.
Bringing a child up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord is a daunting task. Wives ought to daily pray for their husbands in this responsibility. And for those who are working at it, God’s grace is upon you to be successful!