In Dad's Footsteps

Chuckle: "Before I got married, I had six theories about bringing up children; now I have six children and no theories!" --Lord Rochester

Good Quote: A little girl followed her father as he carefully stepped through a new garden. She stepped exactly where he stepped and said, "Daddy, if you don't get mud on your feet, I won't get any mud on me!" --Unknown

IN DAD'S FOOTSTEPS

"And now a word to you parents. Don't keep scolding and nagging your children, making them resentful. Rather, bring them up with the loving discipline the Lord himself approves, with suggestions and godly advice" Ephesians 6:4 TLB). "Fathers, don't scold your children so much that they become discouraged and quit trying" (Colossians 3:21 TLB). "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" (Proverbs 22:6 NIV).

In the early 1700's, two men lived in New York at the same time. One was named Max Jukes; the other was Jonathan Edwards. Jukes was not a Christian and raised his children in a non-Christian environment. The record of Jukes' descendents is not precise; however, we know many spent time in prison; some were prostitutes. Others were alcoholics. His family cost the city of New York millions of dollars because his descendents made no contribution to society.

On the other hand, Jonathan Edwards loved the Lord and taught his 12 children the principles of God's Word. Edwards had approximately 929 descendents. 430 were gospel preachers (almost half); 86 were college professors; 13 were elected to the U.S. Congress; one was vice president of the United States (Aaron Burr). His family never cost the state of New York a dime; indeed, all of America was blessed by the children of Jonathan Edwards.

This graphic illustration reminds us that: what we teach will bring forth fruit in kind. If you're godless, your children will be godless. If you use God's name in vain, so will your children. If you're a hypocrite, they will be also. If you treat the house of the Lord lightly, they will do the same. If you abuse your body with drugs and alcohol, you can expect the same from your children. Because you, the parent, are the role model for your children. You have seen the plaque, "The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." However, I believe the best thing a father can do for this children is to love Jesus.

You may be a descendent of a godly father or grandfather -- or not. But remember, every Dad or Granddad has the opportunity to start a new cycle of blessings and goodness for his descendents. Father’s Day presents us with a chance to look at the man and father God wants you to be -- the kind who will teach and discipline your children by God's standards. You will have a tender love for your children and avoid all severity and cruelty in the name of discipline. Cruel parents generally have children who are embittered, alienated, angry, resentful, rebellious, and cruel. Children are echoes of their parents.

Father's day would be a great time for us to commit our lives to being the kind of fathers, grandfathers, and husbands God wants us to be.

Love, Jerry & Dotse