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Sometimes I feel
fathers
underestimate
the value of
their role in
bringing up
their children.
Especially so
for Christian
fathers. Your
child is
constantly
looking at your
behaviour,
speech and
mannerisms from
early infancy
and all you do
and say is
moulding him or
her into your
likeness. Good
or bad. The
father's role as
leader of the
home and
spiritual guide
is so critical
to your child's
development. For
it is through
you as well as
their mother
that they learn.
Not only do they
learn how to do
practical things
like filling the
car with gas,
but they watch
how you interact
with their
mother and other
authority
figures. It is
crucial that
children see
their father
respecting and
loving their
mother and
obeying the laws
of God and the
land. They will
take on board
any negativity
that you show
such as
laziness, bad
humour, cussing,
lack of interest
in spiritual
matters and even
worldly matters.
If you doubt the
value of your
role, take a
moment to
observe your
children at play
and note how
many times Daddy
goes to work,
how he drives
the car, how he
speaks to Mommy
and to them! It
could come as a
shock! If you
use bad language
in front of your
little ones,
expect them to
repeat it! They
hear YOU say it-
so then to their
minds it is
correct and
proper grammar!
Do not feign
ignorance or
administer
punishment if
you are using
such language-
they are just
proving my
point! Children
are like little
sponges and are
absorbing
everything you
do and say. It
is crucial to
the child's
development that
he or she feels
loved and
accepted by
their father.
Most of us spend
all our lives
trying to please
Dad- even if he
has passed on!
Your place as
father is so
much more than
being just a
bread winner-
important and
appreciated as
much as it is!
Your children do
not know the
value of money
as youngsters
and a child has
no comprehension
of being in
lack. If they
are fed, warm,
clean and loved,
that is all they
know and need.
The father's
role is one that
influences us
right up and
through the time
that we have
children of our
own. If you
weren't much of
a father to your
children, the
chances are they
won't be much of
a father to your
grandchildren!
And most
importantly of
all, I feel- the
spiritual role
of father. How
you relate to
your children
will model how
they perceive
God as Father!
You can make or
break their
trust in God by
your fathering!
May you look at
your role as a
father through
the eyes of your
children, and
try to be
Christ-like!
Your child's
eternity depends
on it!
© Glenys Robyn
Hicks
'Furthermore we
have had fathers
of our flesh
which corrected
us, and we gave
them reverence:
shall we not
much rather be
in subjection
unto the Father
of spirits, and
live?' Hebrews
12:9
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