Fathers Day 2009

A man came by to see me the other day and to pick up some materials to be distributed to those that he met along his journeys.

He mentioned a survey that was taken to prison inmates and the observation made by their actions.

When Mothers Day was approaching, the prison wardens, and guards and other staff bought from their own pockets , hundreds of cards to be sent to Mother, honoring her on that day.

The prisoners were told that whom ever desired a card, could have one or several, totally without obligation, if only they were mailed to the one that they called Mother.

The postage would be paid by those making the offer.

ALMOST EVERY prisoner came forward to take a card.

When Fathers Day was approaching the same prison staff made the decision to extend the same offer to a similar group of men, but the results were not what they had expected.

NONE of the prisoners came forward.

What does this say about the state of our Fathers?

A song by Harry Chapin may just give us something to think about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk_eCI19RIs

My child arrived just the other day
He came into the world in the usual way.
But there were planes to catch, and bills to pay
He learned to walk while I was away.
And he was talking before I knew it and as he grew,
He said, “I’m gonna be like you, Dad,
You know I’m gonna be like you”
And in the cats in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy ran off with the man in the moon
When you coming home, dad, I don’t know when
But well get together then, Son
You know well have a good time then.
My son turned ten just the other day
He said thanks for the ball, Dad, come on lets play
Can you teach me to throw?
I said not today, I got a lot to do
He said “That’s O.K.”
And then He walked away, but his smile never dimmed
And said “I’m gonna be like him,
Yeah
You know I’m gonna be like him.
Well he came home from college just the other day
So much like a man I just had to say
“Son, I’m proud of you, can you sit for a while?”
He shook his head and he said with a smile,
“What I’d really like, Dad, is to borrow the car keys
“See you later can I have them please?”
I’ve long since retired, my sons moved away
I called him up just the other day
I said “I’d like to see you if you don’t mind”
He said I’d love to Dad, if I could find the time.
You see my new jobs a hassle, and the kids have the flu.
But its sure nice talking to you, Dad.
Its been sure nice talking to you…………
And as I hung up the phone it occurred to me,
He’d grown up just like me, My boy was just like me…….

At d2lifeministries our prayers go out to all the fathers as we continue to raise, guide and instruct our children.

I don’t know what phase of fatherhood that you may be in, but we always remember that we do have a Heavenly Father to help us along the way.

When we make mistakes, as we will, may we humbly go to our Father and confess our shortcomings, and look to Him for wisdom.

Luke 1:17 And he will go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people.

Fathers, don’t fail your children.

Repent of self

Repent of pride

Be for you son or daughter as our Heavenly Father is for you.

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