Happy Father's Day! (yesterday)
I hope all of the dads out there reading the blog had a great Father's Day. I hope you were able to talk to your dad and wish him a great day. My father departed this earth in August of 2005 and now realizes the glory we anticipate so eagerly. Although I know he is in the presence of his Savior, I still miss being with him. He was always a lot of fun to be around and quick with a joke. I remember him seeming larger than life when I was small and again larger than life once I got out on my own and experienced the real world for myself. (Isn't it amazing how much your parents "learn" once you get out on your own!) My dad was the most giving person I've ever met and had the heart of a servant. I knew I could go to him when I needed help, advice, or just a friendly ear. He would drop everything he was doing to help someone. I enjoyed our talks together and always knew he had my best interest in mind, even when I wanted to convince myself otherwise. I have fond memories of my Dad. He took me to church, taught my Sunday School class, and made me learn the Word of God. He was respected by the people around him for his honesty and dependability.
Because of who my dad was, I was able to read the Word and see what kind of Father that God is to us. I feel for those that did not have a good Christian father as a role model. Our view of the heavenly father is deeply influenced by our experience with earthly fathers. Some people have seen some pretty lousy examples. Unfortunately, this is an ever growing problem. I see children daily that have never been around an adult male until they come to school. How will these people understand who God is and what His love for us is like? How will they know how to be a father to their own children? It is a vicious cycle. Satan has attacked a critical place! Without fathers doing what fathers need to do and are commanded to do by the Lord, our perception of God becomes a difficult task and our role as a father to our children becomes a mystery.
The first institution God created was that of family. God has a place in mind for everybody, and for the man, this was as a husband and a father. We have been commanded to love our wives and families like Christ loves the church. We have been instructed to raise our children in the way that is right. God has entrusted us with an incredible job! Men, we must strive to be the best fathers we can be, to our own children, as well as those that have "adopted" us as their fathers. (Yes, kids do this all the time!) Our legacy is not left by the money we have made, the positions we have attained, or the titles we have earned. It is in the example and witness we are daily to those who look to us. Our legacy rests with the eternal difference we make in the lives of our sons and daughters.
For His Glory,
Darrell Baty
No comments:
Post a Comment