Here is a quote form Mark Twain:
"When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years...".
It's a funny quote but isn't that how children perceive their dads? As we grow up we realize that they know more than we think. They are not that ignorant after all. And the older we get somehow the smarter they become, and when they are gone and we reflect upon our lives and our parents, we realize how "wise" they were. All along they try to impart their wisdom to us, from their own experiences in life, but we are too proudful or rebellious to listen. We want to figure it out ourselves.
Today, we honor fathers not because they gave us life, but because they also showed us how to live.
Fathers lead and teach by example. A while back, I read a statement in an optometrist's office that said: "Eighty (80) percent of everything children learn in their first 12 years is through their eyes." So, just imagine all that children visually process through reading, television, film, events, surroundings, and observing the behavior of others, especially their families, their fathers and mothers. Just think about how powerful the influence of a dad is. We teach our children far more from how we live than by what we say.
My dad was a great dad and a great example; a man of integrity, great work ethic and perseverance.
I miss him more now than I ever did, because I realize all the sacrifices he endured for his family. I know I didn't always listen to what he had to say, because "I" was more sophisticated and after all a 'college' graduate. As I said earlier, sometimes we don't appreciate them until later in our lives. Our Fathers may not be perfect, but as long as they are doing their best and try to be good examples as they raise their children, that is 'perfect' enough. In Ephesians 6:4, the Apostle Paul advises parents not to keep scolding and nagging their children, making them angry and resentful, but to bring them up with godly advice and constractive discipline.
The 5th of God's 10 Commandments says we should honor our father and mother, and it ends with this promise: that if you honor your father and mother, you will have a long, good life, full of blessings.
I hope you remembered your Dad on this Father's Day, and if you are a father, I hope you had a wonderful day!
"When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be 21, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years...".
It's a funny quote but isn't that how children perceive their dads? As we grow up we realize that they know more than we think. They are not that ignorant after all. And the older we get somehow the smarter they become, and when they are gone and we reflect upon our lives and our parents, we realize how "wise" they were. All along they try to impart their wisdom to us, from their own experiences in life, but we are too proudful or rebellious to listen. We want to figure it out ourselves.
Today, we honor fathers not because they gave us life, but because they also showed us how to live.
Fathers lead and teach by example. A while back, I read a statement in an optometrist's office that said: "Eighty (80) percent of everything children learn in their first 12 years is through their eyes." So, just imagine all that children visually process through reading, television, film, events, surroundings, and observing the behavior of others, especially their families, their fathers and mothers. Just think about how powerful the influence of a dad is. We teach our children far more from how we live than by what we say.
My dad was a great dad and a great example; a man of integrity, great work ethic and perseverance.
I miss him more now than I ever did, because I realize all the sacrifices he endured for his family. I know I didn't always listen to what he had to say, because "I" was more sophisticated and after all a 'college' graduate. As I said earlier, sometimes we don't appreciate them until later in our lives. Our Fathers may not be perfect, but as long as they are doing their best and try to be good examples as they raise their children, that is 'perfect' enough. In Ephesians 6:4, the Apostle Paul advises parents not to keep scolding and nagging their children, making them angry and resentful, but to bring them up with godly advice and constractive discipline.
The 5th of God's 10 Commandments says we should honor our father and mother, and it ends with this promise: that if you honor your father and mother, you will have a long, good life, full of blessings.
I hope you remembered your Dad on this Father's Day, and if you are a father, I hope you had a wonderful day!
