Fathers offered a ‘bouquet of wisdom’
Scripture reading: Proverbs 4:1-13. Text: “The righteous man leads a blameless life; blessed are his children after him.” Proverbs 20:7. You have heard so many sermons or read so many meditations about Father’s Day, thus it is hard to say or write something basically new. It is well known that a father should be simultaneously strict and kind, bold and cautious, thinking logically and loving tenderly. We also agree that we should express our gratitude to the hardworking, providing and protecting fathers. On Mother’s Day, we like to greet our mothers with a nice bouquet of beautiful flowers, so this time on Father’ Day we wish to show our respect toward the fathers and gentlemen by presenting them a bouquet of “wisdom.” (Perhaps some of them would rather receive “Four Roses.”) By doing this, we do not violate the teaching of the Bible, since in the book of Proverbs we find many wise and important suggestions and admonitions. For example, study our Scripture reading and see our text.
“MY, MY SON, DO NOT FORGET MY TEACHING, BUT KEEP MY COMMANDS IN YOUR HEART,” Proverbs 3:1.
– Be careful about your thoughts, for your thoughts will determine your words.
– Be careful about your words, for your words will determine your actions.
– Be careful about your actions, for your actions will determine your habits.
– Be careful about your habits, for your habits will determine your character.
– Be careful about your character, for your character will determine your fate.
– Be careful about your children, for they will choose your nursing home.
“A father’s Ten Commandments:
– I shall teach my children love of God and respect for their fellowmen.
– I shall teach them good sportsmanship in work and play.
– I shall instill in them an appreciation of church and the family, the backbone of our society.
– I shall strive for companionship and mutual understanding.
– I shall impart to them a desire to love and honor their country and obey its laws.
– I shall encourage them to apply themselves to difficult tasks with necessary amount of self-discipline.
– I shall teach them the importance of participation in community affairs and local government.
– I shall teach them self-reliance and help them develop an independent spirit.
– I shall help them develop a sense of responsibility in planning for the future.
– I shall above all, live a life that will lead them to our Heavenly Father.” Quoted from: The Christian Voice, May 1997.
There are various steps showing interest in responding to God’s call and Jesus’ teaching: spiritual but not religious; religious but not a believer; a believer but not faithful; a faithful but not a church member; a church member but not attending church services. Does not this sound similar to believing in education but not sending your child/ren to school or not teaching him/her/them at home? (Home-schooling.)
There are four types of father and we should understand and respect each of them, 1. One who will NEVER BE a father. 2. One who is GOING TO BE a father, 3. One who IS a father, 4. Who WAS a father. We should never criticize or blame the first group; rejoice with the second one; help and support the third group to rear his child/ren, and show sympathy and empathy to those unfortunate ones who lost their son or daughter.
In normal circumstances a father has several roles he has to fulfill simultaneously, namely, his is a providing and guiding PARENT to his children; he is a loving and understanding HUSBAND to his wife, and he is a devoted and caring SON to the grandparents.
A Father’s Day prayer by Jo Ann Heiderbreder in The Sign.
“Mender of toys, leader of boys, Changer of fuses, kisser of bruises – Bless him, dear Lord. Mover of couches, soother or ouches, Pounder of nails, teller of tales – reward him, O Lord. Hanger of screens, counselor of teens, Fixer of bikes, chastiser of tykes – Help him, O Lord. Raker of leaves, cleaner of eaves, Dryer of dishes, fulfiller of wishes . . . Bless him, O Lord.”
For conclusion here is Apostle Paul’s advice: “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:4.
The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.