Thoughts Concerning Father's Day

Each year as Father's Day approaches (only a week away) I am led to observe and evaluate my spiritual leadership as both a Dad and a husband. More than my "parenting skills", I am most concerned about how, and where, I have been leading my children and wife. Have I led my children to honor their mother by setting a Godly example they can follow? Have I treated Dana in a way that I would be pleased to see them treat their spouse later in life (a lot later I pray)? Have I raised, trained, and discipled my children in a way that not only honors and glorifies God, but shows them how to raise their own children in both the spiritual and natural sense?

I usually look to Eli to help me realize how important it is to not only be a Godly father, but to be actively training my children in the ways of the Lord. 1 Samuel Chapters 2-4 hold the entire story of Eli and his sons.

In meditating on this passage of Scripture I am drawn to 2:22-25 for the greatest challenge I've ever received on being a Godly father.

In vs. 23 Eli asks the "why?" question. "Why do you do such things?" I can't imagine how Eli must have felt. Being a very old man, hearing the talk about his sons, catching the "cutting eyes" of the old men of the town that knew what was going on and wondered why Eli didn't do anything about it, seeing the "simple" women at the door of the tent and wondering how many and how long they had been "involved" with his sons...so, "Why, why do you do these things my sons, they are not good! You are sinning against God, not man, when you steal and defame the Temple of the Most High...how will you be forgiven if you do not turn, and turn NOW?!" Who knows the painful, heart wrenching thoughts, feelings, and conversations Eli must have had with his sons, and even the town folks?

I don't want to feel the same way Eli must have felt; I want to ask "why?" now. Why are my children they way they are now, and how can I help them become more Christ-like in the future? Now is the time, not when we "have" to do something about it, although the reality is that now is the time to do something about it...therefore we "have" to train them in the Lord "now".

By the time Eli had confronted his boys, it was too late. They wouldn't "hear" a word of Eli's warning because God had purposed to kill them, (vs.25) just as He hardened the hearts of those countries that came against Israel in battle (Josh 11:20), so that God would be glorified and Israel would grow even greater.

I pray for my children, that God would help them remain tender hearted, submissive, and totally devoted to the Lord. I also pray for me and Dana as we lead and train them, as a team, to honor and glorify God in all they think, do, say, and feel.

I look at Eli and remember that my ultimate responsibility is to glorify God by being the head of my household and to lead and guide my wife and children in the ways of the Lord. This responsibility comes before any ministry, outreach, or "Christ-centered activity". This is the largest, and one of the most important, responsibilities of the Elder; if they cannot lead their family, how can they lead a church congregation?

Parents, fathers especially, how well do you know your children?

What do they do when they think you're not looking?

What do their teachers say about them in school?

What do their siblings say about them?

When was the last time you sat down with your spouse and evaluated the spiritual growth of each of your children - and each other?

When was the last time you prayed, specifically, for each of your children and their spiritual development?

When was the last time you came before God, compared yourself to what He says you should be doing as a Parent, repented of your sins and shortcomings, and started fresh as a Parent who is truly leading their children in the ways of the Lord, in thought, word, and deed?

Those are the thoughts I have as I contemplate Father's Day...but even more so, what God says we should do and not do as Fathers everyday.

PT