How many of us remember Miyagi (from Karate Kid)? Who could forget “wax on, wax off”? When Daniel-son would ask Mr. Miyagi, How did you learn Karate, or some other life skill? He would answer, “Daniel-son, Father teach”. Our father and mother can be a great source of instruction and understanding on how to live. Sadly, there are significant threats to our young people today because they don’t have fathers. Or the one’s they do have are not honored by them or their words go unheeded. If only we would be a culture that listens and lives! The stakes are high. Its a matter of life and death. Solomon captured this idea in Proverbs chapter 4.
Listen, my sons, to the instruction of a father and pay attention so that you may gain understanding, for I give you good teaching. Do not abandon my instruction. When I was a son to my father, tender and the only son in the sight of my mother, he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart take hold of my words, keep my commandments and live”. Proverbs 4:1-4 NASB
How grateful am I for my father’s influence, teaching, and wisdom? In what ways am I striving to be a father to my children who imparts at least a bit of wisdom?
God, as this day begins- we are celebrating America’s freedom and declaration of independence. I thank you for my dad and mom. I pray I might be who my children need, even as they themselves are becoming mothers and fathers. Since You are my heavenly Father, I want to listen to You and in return understand eternal life. May I be the man you want me to be today and the father to my children that imparts Your words and will to them, perhaps without even speaking.
