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The ostrich flaps her wings grandly, but they are no match for the feathers of the stork. She lays her eggs on top of the earth, letting them be warmed in the dust. She doesn't worry that a foot might crush them or that wild animals might destroy them. She is harsh toward her young, as if they were not her own. She is unconcerned though they die, for God has deprived her of wisdom. He has given her no understanding. But whenever she jumps up to run, she passes the swiftest horse with its rider.(Job 39:13-18)
The Ostrich loves to be known for its great speed. That’s the ostrich’s claim to fame. That’s where it gets its kudos. That’s what feeds its pride. But the ostrich doesn’t value what God deems important – looking out for her children. She doesn’t care about the protection of her children from the evils that work to destroy them. She is harsh with them as though they were an inconvenience and interference in her life. She has no emotional concern for them as her heart has become so hardened toward them because of her own selfishness. It says God has deprived her of wisdom.

In the big picture, God liberally gives wisdom to those that ask but, Jesus also said “don’t cast your pearls before swine.” In other words, He doesn’t give wisdom to people who would only mock, trample underfoot, or waste it.

Proverbs 17:6 says, “Children's children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.” I have grandchildren. They are a crown to me. They are precious. They help me relive and see the beauty of things I’ve forgotten about because I get to see life through their eyes all over again. They bring fresh love and they refresh life itself.

The verse continues “and the glory of children are their fathers.” Fathers, are you the glory of your children? Do you love them? Do you think about the big picture and because of it raise them to know God and His Word? You won’t unless you do first! Do you help them experience God through a local church that teaches God's Word and ways? You won’t unless you do first! Do you lovingly bring correction when they disobey you or your wife? You won’t unless you care that God corrects those He loves!

Do you encourage them to look to God for help and experience His grace? You won’t unless you were one to continuously seek His help in your life. Do you take the time to help them think through and discern good from evil in their decision making? You won’t unless you yourself have learned to use restraint from fleshly desires. Do you sacrifice your own time to instead spend time with them? Did you know that the leading answer from children when asked what they would like more of in life said, “Quality time with my dad.”

Children want their dad’s love and approval. Children want a protector. Children want boundaries that you will enforce – even if their flesh screams for fleshly desires just like yours does. You may see tantrums but at the end of the day, they really want what is good and right. They want a dad that is wise enough to know that and courageous enough to enforce right attitude and behavior.

I have found that in this season of life, my adult children want no less love from their dad. As adults, they want it in the new format of friendship. They want a rich friendship from me. They still want love and approval. They want to make me proud. They want the space to make the same mistakes I did, and when given that space, they want to occasionally ask for my wisdom.

Children, when raised right, will never outgrow their need for their father’s love just as we will never outgrow our need for God’s love. They want the option to be able to sit down and talk heart to heart with dad when needed, and to be listened to without the interjection of our solutions and fixes. They still want to occasionally play together. They want to have a great relationship and love for their father because they know deep down, “the glory of children is their father.”

It’s never too late to be a good dad! Their may be cases when bridges have been burned and they seem irreparable. They aren’t with God. All things are possible, and love never fails!
The living, the living—they praise you, as I am doing today; fathers tell their children about your faithfulness.
(Isa. 38:19)

www.FreshManna.org
All rights reserved. Used by permission.


Author Biography

Tim Burt
Web site: Todays Fresh Manna
 
Timothy Burt is a pastor, author, and writer. He is best known as the author of Fresh Manna, a daily devotional and online Bible study.
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