HAPPY FATHER'S DAY
Why we need Fathers
It's interesting how some fathers will commit themselves
religiously to daily workouts, long hours at the office, and
weekend bicycle trips. But it's sad when they don't commit
themselves to their children with similar zeal; or the spouse
with whom they once stood and vowed - for better or for worse - a
lifetime of commitment.
We need renewal in our families. We need fathers who put God
first, their marriage second, and their family third.
- Fathers need to trade looking inward for looking upward.
Fathers, and families, need to build their foundation on the
Lord.
- Fathers need to trade secular information for biblical
information. Instead of being overwhelmed with the
information age, fathers and families need the right
information that is found in Scriptures.
- Fathers need to trade quality time for quantity time.
Children can't mold their needs around a schedule. They need
quality time from their parents - a great quantity of it.
- Fathers need to trade trends for tradition. Children - gifts
from God - need to be raised in the traditions of biblical
principles and not what the '90s world sees as trendy. Just
because everybody does it on TV does not mean that you should
do it in your family.
- Fathers need to trade corporate ladders for family bridges.
Work is important; you should do your best, but you also need
to put as much time into your family as you do your job.
- Fathers need to trade style for substance. Since God has
already validated your worth, you need to be authentic in who
you are and what you say. Otherwise, you'll be so busy trying
to keep up with the Joneses that you won't have time to
nurture your own family.
- Fathers need to trade materialism for relationships.
Children, not products, bring lasting satisfaction. You may
have all the gadgets, a large home and yard, and drive the
fastest car. But unless your family is close, spends time
together and communicates, all the things don't really
matter.
- Fathers need to trade the fast pace for the slow life. In
becoming a hurried adult, you create hurried children,
robbing them of time to use their imaginations and simply be
kids.
- Fathers need to trade convenience for commitment.
Relationships can't be rushed. Good families are the product
of years of nurturing, seasons of sacrifice, months of
sometimes mundane attention. At the root of such nurturing is
a commitment from fathers.
Mike Yorkey is editor of Focus on the Family magazine
as well as The Christian Family Answer Book. He is
the author (or co-author) of several other books,
including Saving Money Any Way You Can, Daddy's Home,
The Second Decade of Love, and Faithful Parents,
Faithful Kids. Mike and his wife, Nicole, have two
children.
From The Christian Dad's Answer Book compiled and
edited by Mike Yorkey, copyright (c) 1998. Used by
permission of Chariot Victor Publishing, a division
of Cook Communications, Colorado Springs, Colo.,
1-800-437-4337.
© 1997 vinebranch@hotmail.com
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