A Father’s Care.
When you read this, which idea comes to mind first? Is it your father’s care or the care you provide for one child or more? Either way, there are lessons given, and certainly lessons for every father to experience with each child. Whether you are a father of 1 child or ten, part of communicating a message of caring is simply having the right attitude of giving and receiving as well as modeling appropriate behaviors.
Would you agree that listening is a form of giving? When a child understands a father to be a listener, this lends to the trust a child seeks when wanting a father that is approachable. It takes much work for a father to be a listener. As fathers, we naturally want to teach and communicate teaching by directing. We wish to be heard. Children also wish to be heard. If we choose to not model listening how do we expect them to listen during those teachable moments we are given. Children learn to gain trust in a fathers guidance by this route-fathers giving through a listening process.
Modeling appropriate behavior complements this as well. At times when any child can naturally express negative emotions in an unhealthy manner, it is our example of appropriate behavior that can potentially encourage them to choose likewise. During our own difficult and joyous times of life, children observe what we do. How do we stay true to appropriate behavior during such moments? When put to a test of willpower by a child, how do we exhibit patience and control of our own boundaries during this process? How do we obtain peace? Children can recall how we choose to model behaviors toward ourselves, others and them. They will remember your giving through a modeled approach.
In retrospect, these very simple ideas about a father’s care relate to the idea of a father being a caregiver. A caregiver enjoys his children; however, is not afraid to set firm but fair limits.1 More than likely, he teaches the value of taking care of oneself and lives by the simple standard, “Treat others the way you wish to be treated.” Even in those disciplinary moments, build trust and care by teaching through simple giving and receiving approaches.
Colossians 3:21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
1 Pioneerthinking.com, Fathers Care by Charles A. Smith
© Andy L. Westbrook, Westbrook Publishing, Ink., 2009
