04 February 2009
Just wanted to post a few things about my Dad, and the way he brought me up, which I'm really grateful to God for. I hope it'll stay on the non-cringy side of sentimentality(!), and that if any of you reading this are parents, or hoping to be in the future, you'll find encouragement in it.I look at my own life now and see more and more how much I've been shaped by my Dad's example, particularly when it comes to being a Christian.
1. He demonstrated complete commitment to the Bible as his 'instructions manual' for daily life. As we grew up, he would ensure that every day, as a whole family, we'd get together around the breakfast table to read something from the Bible and pray.
I guess lots of Christian parents are faithful at taking their kids to church each week, but Dad's example flowed through into the week. His solid belief in what he read out to us each morning, and his perseverance in bringing us together as a family each day (even when we, the kids, were unruly or stubborn) communicated better than words could, just how valuable the Bible is for life.
2. He taught me to think. There's this crazy idea being batted around by Richard Dawkins, and the like, that to be brought up in a Christian home is to be brainwashed in lies. I don't know many other people who were as committed to rigorous study as my Dad. He has a study full of Christian books and tapes, and is still amazing at pointing me in the direction of helpful books/articles/resources when I'm considering issues for myself.
Far from using God as an excuse to counter questions with 'That's just the way God's made it so be quiet and eat your tea!' he would encourage me to probe for answers, always with God as the centre and foundation.
Placing God in that position didn't mean any reasoning or rational thinking was flawed - it rather gave purpose and inspiration to the pursuit of knowledge.
3. He loves my Mum and isn't afraid to show it. Even though they disagree, and had arguments, he has been unflinching in his faithfulness and affection through their 26 or so years of marriage. It's a really positive thing to have that Jesus-centred, loving marriage lived out before you as you grow up. It really is a foundation for my own marriage in so many ways. He's set the bar high, but showed a real marriage where Jesus is honoured is possible.
4. He knew how to say sorry. We as kids weren't the only ones to get it wrong, but when he realised he'd upset one of us, or made a bad decision, he would admit it and say sorry to us. Looking back, it's amazing to think of a Dad who was both an authority in our lives, and also a protecting, loving and caring Dad. He clearly had his eyes set on God as his example of fatherhood, yet also with the awareness of being himself a sinner.
You'd think with all that he had a cushy job, with lots of free time to study and spend with us. But actually he's a GP, regularly having to be on call at weekends when we were little, and working until late in the evenings. Work got him tired and often stressed, but it was against that backdrop that he exhibited all these amazing characteristics that I want to copy in my life.
If you are a Dad reading this, don't underestimate the impact for good or bad that you'll have on your kids. Set your heart and mind on Jesus, and keep trying and persevering and praying. I bet fatherhood brings a whole heap of worry, pain and stress, but place yourself in the hands of your loving father God, and with godly sweat, go for it and be the best Dad you can!
I guess lots of Christian parents are faithful at taking their kids to church each week, but Dad's example flowed through into the week. His solid belief in what he read out to us each morning, and his perseverance in bringing us together as a family each day (even when we, the kids, were unruly or stubborn) communicated better than words could, just how valuable the Bible is for life.
2. He taught me to think. There's this crazy idea being batted around by Richard Dawkins, and the like, that to be brought up in a Christian home is to be brainwashed in lies. I don't know many other people who were as committed to rigorous study as my Dad. He has a study full of Christian books and tapes, and is still amazing at pointing me in the direction of helpful books/articles/resources when I'm considering issues for myself.
Far from using God as an excuse to counter questions with 'That's just the way God's made it so be quiet and eat your tea!' he would encourage me to probe for answers, always with God as the centre and foundation.
Placing God in that position didn't mean any reasoning or rational thinking was flawed - it rather gave purpose and inspiration to the pursuit of knowledge.
3. He loves my Mum and isn't afraid to show it. Even though they disagree, and had arguments, he has been unflinching in his faithfulness and affection through their 26 or so years of marriage. It's a really positive thing to have that Jesus-centred, loving marriage lived out before you as you grow up. It really is a foundation for my own marriage in so many ways. He's set the bar high, but showed a real marriage where Jesus is honoured is possible.
4. He knew how to say sorry. We as kids weren't the only ones to get it wrong, but when he realised he'd upset one of us, or made a bad decision, he would admit it and say sorry to us. Looking back, it's amazing to think of a Dad who was both an authority in our lives, and also a protecting, loving and caring Dad. He clearly had his eyes set on God as his example of fatherhood, yet also with the awareness of being himself a sinner.
You'd think with all that he had a cushy job, with lots of free time to study and spend with us. But actually he's a GP, regularly having to be on call at weekends when we were little, and working until late in the evenings. Work got him tired and often stressed, but it was against that backdrop that he exhibited all these amazing characteristics that I want to copy in my life.
If you are a Dad reading this, don't underestimate the impact for good or bad that you'll have on your kids. Set your heart and mind on Jesus, and keep trying and persevering and praying. I bet fatherhood brings a whole heap of worry, pain and stress, but place yourself in the hands of your loving father God, and with godly sweat, go for it and be the best Dad you can!
