God has called us to be like Jesus Who said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 19:14). Then, "...He laid His hands on them..." (v. 15).
When my kids were little, I helped put the children to bed at night. On one particular occasion when I put the boys to bed, John was out like a light, but Paul just lay there.
He said, "Daddy...."
"Yes, Paul."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Paul."
Then he said, "Why don't you come in here and love me then?"
I had already hugged him, kissed him, prayed with him, and read the Bible. There was a need in his life to be touched. Every child needs to be touched and ministered to with the love of God. As a parent, you have the power to minister love.
My greatest joy, outside of the Lord and worshiping Him, is my family. I love to be with my family. I love my wife. We're a team. I love my children. If you're going to be a father, you've got to learn to spend time with your children and do what they like to do.
I enjoy spending time with my children. When John was little, he was learning to play soccer. He really hadn't figured out what it's all about yet, but he liked to run around. He liked the break time when he could get a drink of water!
One time, when he came off the field, his question to me was, "Daddy, did I do good?" What was he really asking? He wanted my approval as a parent. I think about how many children go without that reinforcement and approval in their lives.
How do we save people from getting on drugs and alcohol? If the deepest needs of their life are met, especially when they're small, then they won't have these needs. They won't be vulnerable to those things. When basic needs are not met, people often search every avenue they can.
In a study that took place on the west coast with prostitutes, it was discovered that over 95 percent of them came from families where there was no positive father image.
What were they seeking in prostitution? A craving for what they never received at home.
Where there has been a void, there's a greater tendency to become involved in homosexuality. For the greatest percentage of the young boys involved in homosexuality, either there was an absentee father or a father who lacked spiritual fortitude.
The sins of the fathers, the Scripture says, will be visited to the third and forth generation.
When there's a breakdown in the family, it doesn't just affect the fathers. It can affect four generations of families. Are you beginning to see the importance of letting the Lord build our marriages and homes?
by Billy Joe Daugherty.
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers