Magyar Egyház, 1978 (57. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-09-01 / 9-10. szám
8 MAGYAR EGYHÁZ You can understand that, can’t you? Put yourself in the teenager’s place. If your father spent little or no time with you as an infant and seldom if ever played with you as a child, how would you respond when, all of a sudden, he wanted to give you orders as a teenager? In infancy and childhood, the father is in a position of authority over his children. However, the father’s power over his teenagers is largely one of influence. The strength of that influence is directly related to the loving involvement the father has had with his children during the period of his authority over them. What are some ways a father can become involved with his infants and small children? Don’t be afraid to bathe and diaper your infants occasionally. When they’re old enough, pick them up and sit them on your shoulders. Let them see what tables and chairs look like from the topside of life. Have you ever wondered how overwhelmed a small child is by the size of the furnishings in his environment? A luxury ride on the shoulders of his father not only gives him a new view of his world, but also treats him to a momentary sense of power. This kind of activity says, “I love you,” to a child in a language he understands. Get down on your hands and knees and play with your small children. When I’ve given this advice to some fathers, I’ve had them say, “But, I feel so silly when I do that. I just can’t get interested in the world of an infant. It’s so boring.” Have you ever wondered how boring it must have been for God to become human? When you think of all that Jesus left to be born as a human infant, you wonder how He ever tolerated such a drastic narrowing of the limits of His existence. Why did He humble Himself that way? He loved us so much that He was willing to come down into our world in order to make it possible for us to grow up into His. What an example! A father who is willing to humble himself and get down into his children’s world and show them love, will have the joy of seeing his children grow up into their father’s world and share fellowship with him. Instruct Your Children Children need to be taught how to do things around the house. Dad, as soon as your children are old enough to be curious about projects you’re carrying on in the home, let them watch you. Within the limits of their abilities, involve them in the project. Fixing a chair, stopping a faucet leak, working in the yard, painting the house — these are everyday opportunities for you to build a relationship with your children and teach them some important personal skills in the process. Early in life, help them to discover the importance of spiritual skills. Teach them how to pray. Read appropriate passages of Scripture to them. Sing choruses with them. Encourage their spiritual curiosity by patiently answering their questions about God and His world. Inspire Your Children A father’s consistent example is one of the most powerful influences in shaping a child’s character. Thomas Carlyle wrote, “On the whole, ought I not to rejoice that God was pleased to give me such a father that from the earliest years, I had the example of a real man of God’s own making continually before me.” There are times when even godly fathers must wait for their influence to have a transforming effect upon their children. That’s why Jesus gives us the story of the Prodigal Son. It takes a lot of love to let your children leave home and go their own painful ways without blaming yourself or them for the distance time brings between you. It takes a lot of faith in the love you and God have invested in that child to believe that sooner or later the distance will be narrowed and reconciliation will lake place. There is always the tendency to believe that the current painful chapter being written in a child’s life may be the end of the book. However, never give up hope. Trust the investment you and God have made in the child. There will be another chapter in the book. The sound of music and laghter will be heard again in your home. At times, the influence of a godly father has a delayed effect on the course of his children's future; but the result is worth waiting for. After all, remember how long our heavenly Father has had to wait in patience for some of us to return to Him. Yet, Jesus reminds us that when that reunion takes place, there’s rejoicing among the angels. The Father’s investment in the man has again proven to be worthwhile. That’s the way “our Father who art in heaven” feels about His investment of love in the children of men. As fathers here on earth, let us follow in His steps. Our love investment in our children will be rewarded as we see them learn to know and love “our Father who art in heaven.” ☆ ☆
