Fathers! What have you planted in the
minds of your children, especially your sons? I say, “especially
your sons,” because boys need special attention. If fathers
are not available there needs to be a substitute. There have been 74
school shootings by boys and young men since the Newtown, Connecticut tragedy in
December 2012. While men make up 49 percent of the U. S. population,
they make up 92 percent of the prison population. Boys need special
attention indeed.
Have you wondered
if you are raising your son and daughter right?
Do you ask yourself, “Am I
demonstrating the right example?” “Have
I said the right things?” “Am I
responding the right way?” How would
you like to be sure that your son and daughter are headed in the right
direction? You can, using God’s perfect
example. You will reduce the number of
times your child will disappoint you.
The perfect
example is found in Matthew 3:17 and 17:5.
It’s also in Mark 1:11, Luke 3:22 and 2 Peter 1:17. It’s what the Father said of His Son. “… This
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus had not yet begun his ministry or
performed his first miracle, changing water into wine. He did not yet have any disciples nor had he
been tempted by Satan. He had just been
baptized by John. He had not yet taken
on the role of Messiah. Yet the Father
was already well pleased with His Son. What
else could the Son of God do but go around doing good.
Think back to
the day your children were born. You
loved them immediately did you not? They
had not done anything except poop in a diaper.
They had not yet done anything to please you. But you loved them and that big grin on your
face told the world that you were well pleased.
Suppose as soon as your son could understand, you introduced him to a
group of your friends saying, “This is my
son, (name) , whom I love. I am very well pleased with him.”
Your son or
daughter has heard you say, “I love you”
at home in private. This is
different. They need to hear you say to
others that you love them and you are well pleased with them. That is huge.
It is no longer private. It is
announced to the world (your group of friends).
The world knows of your love for your child and that you are already pleased
with him or her. More importantly your
child knows that the world knows.
Hearing you tell others in their presence is a tremendous character
building experience. Remember, God said
this of His Son not to His Son. He said it to the world.
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| Raymond, Zair & Lloyd Johnson - Three Generations |
Most parents
wait until their child does something good before complimenting them. “What a
good boy. I’m proud of you.” That is after the good deed is done. God used it before the good was done. I
did this at my church with my own son. I
don’t remember the exact circumstance but I remember using the words of Matthew
3:17 in introducing him. He was either a
teenager or young adult. What were the
results? You will have to ask him. When I look at or think about my son, Raymond,
I see a man … what the Jews call in Yiddish a mensch (i.e. - a person of integrity and honor) a loving husband
and father. I see a God fearing man in
whom I am more than pleased. I feel the
same way about my daughter, Ericka, too.
Before I pat
myself on the back for something I might have done, I am reminded that two of
us raised our son and daughter. I love
them both and I am well pleased with both.
But I did not do it alone.
Alongside me was my wife, their mother, Dora. With us were grandparents, aunts, uncles, God-parents,
church family and close friends. Most
importantly, God is at the center of our lives.
We are guided by God the Holy Spirit
As soon as you
can, tell your friends in the presence of your son and daughter that you love
them and that you are well pleased with them.
It will remain planted in their hearts forever. <><
