Growing up, I always liked this verse:
And ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath; but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
--Ephesians 6:4
One, because it wasn't about something I had to do or couldn't do. I looked at it as though it was there to balance out the
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.--Ephesians 6:1and two, because it was there to protect me.
God's plan for the family is for every member to have a role and when each one carries out their roles the way God intended, it makes for a happy family. I hear some people remark from time to time that they wish there was a manual for living. Well, there is. God has given us instructions for living in the Bible--the Word of God. Last week I challenged my Sunday School class of 5th grade boys to read it every day and find verses that either tell them to do something or not to do something. I hope they at least tried and can share some of what they found in class today.
Growing up, we went to church every week as a family--non-negotiable. I think I missed a total of maybe 8 Sundays my whole life from when I started. Some of those were when I was away at camp and the rest were when I wasn't feeling well. My dad did well at bringing me up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. He also did well, for the most part, about not provoking me to anger. He lived a Godly life and was not a hypocrite.
I only remember a few times when he provoked me to anger and that wasn't until I was an adult and his health was failing. He sometimes refused my help with things that I tried to do to make life easier for him, such as hiring a cleaning woman once a month or changing his money in checking to a different account to earn more interest, or to pick up the mat or rugs that he could possibly trip on like the doctor said we should. Sometimes he was a very stubborn man!
I believe any man who reads "My Funny Dad, Harry" could gain some pointers on what makes a good dad. Mine was very, very good! I feel very blessed to have had such loving and wise parents.
Although Gerard and I don't have children, we do have pets and there are a lot of similarities in being a pet owner and a parent. Our pets surprised Gerard with a very unique father's day present this year with a Blurb book: Early Father's Day Gift Was A Hit. What was your best Father's Day gift?
For more posts about my wonderful dad, check out my other blog at "My Funny Dad, Harry." The link to it is in my navigator bar at the top and enjoy Father's Day. Spend time with your dad today while you can!
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