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We are told that children learn many life lessons from their fathers. I am delighted to hear that more and more fathers are seeing the importance of their role in the upbringing of their children. A recent survey showed that nearly half of all fathers spend more time with their children than their own dads did, and they think that is still not enough.
But, as a father, I have learned many things from my own children. For instance, I learned:
• A king-sized waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2,000 sq. ft. house 5 inches deep.
• Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.
• You probably DO NOT want to know what that odor is.
• Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.
• The fire department in my hometown has a 5-minute response time.
Of course, the above list is only a joke. But there are many important truths I’ve learned from my kids. One of them is the importance of love and patience. The Bible says: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
Raising children requires the patience of Job and the endurance of Paul. That’s no secret. It is rewarding when your children grow up and demonstrate that same patience with you. For example, when your health and strength and memory began to fade, it is a blessing to have children who are patient with you.
When we show patience to our children and our parents and to anyone else, we are imitating the example that the Heavenly Father shows to us. “But you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15).
“Lord, thank you for Christian Fathers and Christian sons and daughters who are patient with others. And thank you for your patience. Amen!”
Larry Fitzgerald
Abilene, TX
BulletindDigest.com