WHAT SHALL I GIVE MY CHILDREN?

What shall you give to one small boy? A glamorous game, a tinseled toy?

A Barlow knife, a puzzle pack, a train that runs on a curving track?

A picture book, a real live pet? No, there’s plenty of time for such things yet.

Give him a day for his very own, just one small boy and his dad alone.

A walk in the woods, a romp in the park, a fishing trip from dawn to dark.

Give him the gift that only you can, the companionship of his Old Man!

Games are outgrown and toys decay, but he’ll never forget if you give him a day.

--Author Unknown

How many times have you passed up an opportunity to spend time with your children, the chance to teach them something important? I have heard it said that no man in his later years wishes that he had spent more time at the office. Once a moment has passed, it will never come our way again. Once an opportunity is lost, it may never return.

Husbands and fathers are to be leaders in the home. Some have the mistaken idea that this makes them king on the throne. They bark orders and commands and expect nothing but complete obedience from their “subjects.” If you will study closely what the Bible says about husbands and fathers you will see the leadership is more of a spiritual nature. “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4). When a family is getting ready to attend Bible classes and worship, the father needs to be leading the way. When a family is having a devotional together in their home, the father needs to be leading the way. When a family is reaching out to help others in need, the father needs to be leading the way. When a family is trying to share the gospel with others, the father needs to be leading the way. When a family is trying to live a life of faithful service to God, the father needs to be leading the way. We may “work our fingers to the bone” to give our family a nice home, new car, video games, and all the other things we think are important, but unless we are providing for our families spiritually, unless we are leading them in serving the Lord, we are not doing our job.

As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us all make the commitment to be better fathers (and mothers too). Let each one of us be determined to be like Abraham. “For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him” (Genesis 18:19).

--Lamar Russell