FAMILY: A Father’s Day message

Children need their fathers to guide them and to help them avoid the perils and unwise
decisions of life. But they also need their fathers to help them appreciate the wonders
that await them on the upward journey to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.
WHAT IS A FATHER (DAD)? A father(dad) is someone who wants to catch you before
you fall; and if you fall, picks you up, brushes you off, and watches you try again. A
father is someone who wants to keep you from making mistakes, but lets you find your
way, even though his heart breaks in silence when you get hurt.
A father(dad) is someone who holds you when you cry, scolds you when you break the
rules, shines with pride when you succeed, and has faith in you even when you fail. A
father is a person who is loving and kind, and often he knows what you have on your
mind.
He’s someone who listens, suggests, and defends; a dad can be one of your very best
friends. He’s proud of your triumphs, but when things go wrong, a dad can be patient
and helpful and strong.
In all that you do, a father’s love plays a part. There’s always a place for him deep in
your heart. And each year that passes you’re even more glad, more grateful, and
proud just to call him your dad.
A good father remembers that one day his kids will follow his example, not his advice
and it’s easier to build strong children than to repair broken ones. Remember to thank
him…for listening and caring, for giving and sharing…but especially for just being the
best father to you.
My Dad was one of the greatest influences in my life. He taught me many things, but
one of the most important was that life is all about relationships. My Dad was my hero
and I thank him for being there for me and being a great role model. It takes a ‘special’
man to be a ‘special’ Dad!!!
My Dad never went to college but went on to become a highly successful business
leader. Dad did the best he could do with what he had. His thoughts were old-
fashioned, and sometimes his clothes; But godliness clothed him from his head to his
toes. One of the most valuable lessons he taught me was that given any two equally
qualified people it is the one with the best interpersonal skills that will be the most
successful. It is all about relationships!
There are no words adequate enough to describe the life and spirit of my Dad. He
cannot be captured in words. He was an ordinary man who became extraordinary to
those of us who loved him. His wavy white hair, gentle smile and soft laugh drew many
to him. One had to simply know him to be able to sense the warmth and richness of his
friendship. Friendships are taken casually by some but not my Dad. He valued
friendships. They were very important to him. He nurtured and cared for his friends. He
was always kind and thoughtful…a true gentleman.
What love he had for our family!! I always believed that our family must have been
what God had in mind when He created us and put us in families. We were blessed by
the love that my Dad and Mother had for each other. It made them wonderful role
models for my brother, sister and me.
God created man in His image. Then He created the ‘FAMILY’ in the image of heaven.
It was the first and best institution founded by God. The letters in the
word, FAMILY may be regarded as representing the first letters of the words in the
statement, “Father And Mother In Love, Year-round” or the hearty remark of a loving
little child, “Father And Mother, I Love You!”. Parents should stand between their child
and God- not as a separating wall but as a connecting link.
Let’s praise God for placing these honorable, kind, gentle souls in our paths for His
loving light to shine through, providing us with a beautiful example of what it means to
really live. Thank you, Dads, for your love, devotion, and sacrifice. You are simply the
best.
Happy Father’s Day, Dads!! Ben