I am very blessed to have an amazing Dad that I can count on for anything. He will always support me and be my best friend. However, I know this is not the case for some. I believe that even though there are people that may not have a physical father, we all have God that is our dad.
One of the things that I love about my dad, is that no matter my age he will always play with me and try to create memories with me. When I was very young we would play barbies, however when I got older we started playing board games or cards. The same thing is with God. God wants to be part of our lives, but we have to let him come in. We need to take the time to get to know him, such as praying and reading the bible. There is no way a relationship can be formed if there is no communication, this is why it is paramount to take time out of your day to deepen your relationship with Christ.
We all know that a Dad would not be an adequate dad, if they only let you do whatever you want and never discipline you. Nowadays, many parents do not discipline their child and correct them for what they are doing wrong. In my personal experience, I was never hit when I did something wrong, I was given talks instead. In these conversations, I would have the space to talk to my Dad on why I got mad or did what I did. Do not get me wrong, this is not in any way shape or form, made my actions permissible. But, it did give me a sense that my dad was listening to me and took into value my side of the story. My dad, in a calm voice would converse with me in different ways that I could have approached the subject better. My parents believe that by hitting you are not going to resolve anything, because the child is not going to know what they are doing wrong. However, by talking and explaining, they can express themselves and the parents can correct their actions. With my parents I was never scared of them, but I did have the ultimate respect for both my mom and dad. This respect was acquired in a way that I was able to comprehend my wrong actions–by talking. Just the same way that our parents correct us, God also tells us what we are doing wrong. Some people believe that because of God’s grace, he doesn’t discipline us, but we also must remember that he is a fair God. Where there is something that He has to correct us, it is so that we can grow.
Most importantly, our dads should be a great Man of God and be a testimony to us of how to live a life according to Christ. My Dad, after dinner we would read this devotional for families. It would have cartoons to help explain the story and a prayer at the end of every teachings. If you didn’t know this about my Dad, he is a wonderful storyteller and he can make any story come to life. So, when I did not know a story, he would explain it to me and in a way that I can understand. In Psalm 103:13 it states that: «As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.» When our parents are being compassionate to us and showing us how to walk with Christ, God will have that same compassion with them.
For every child, what they expect from a father is different. Everyone shows and receives their love in different ways. However, love, spending time together, discipline and teaching about God, are the most important duties that all Dads have. Remember that you are not only changing your children’s life, but generations of children that will come from you. Be the example to your kids!
by Victoria Zangaro
www.mamasqueoran.com
www.youthtalkinternational.com
