Tag: Fathers

Under The Christmas Tree

When our kids were teenagers, it seemed like we had a fleet of cars. One of them had a compact red Chevy Chevette. We called it the tomato. Another one had a small brown Ford Pinto. We called it the potato. The third teenager drove his grandmother’s old Ford Mustang. I don’t remember what we called it.
 
It was a lot of work keeping up with all these cars in addition to the Chrysler K-Car I drove and the Dodge Van my wife drove. One of the gifts the kids could count on every Christmas was a new air filter for their car. I would wrap each one in colorful Christmas paper and put them under the tree.  I’m sure it was their favorite Christmas present.
 
Another gift that we gave all of our children was a small envelope in the branches of the Christmas tree. It contained some money for after-Christmas shopping. It became a tradition they could count on every year.
 
Recently my son shared that he had done the same things for his children. A few years ago he married a wonderful woman with two teenagers. Both of them had older cars and Tim knew they would need a new air filter for their cars. He made sure there were air filters under the Christmas tree for every driver at their house.
 
In addition, Tim put an envelope for each of them in the branches of the Christmas tree. The envelopes contained some money for after- Christmas shopping.
 
I smiled when he told me that he had given his children some of the same things I had given to him and his sisters when they were teenagers. I was pleased to learn that my son followed my example. I wonder what else I have said or done that my son has chosen to repeat or not repeat.
 
There is a passage in the Bible where the Apostle Paul told his young disciple Timothy to do the things that he had learned, seen and heard from Paul’s life (Philippians 4:9). Someone said that the highest compliment is when someone else imitates what you have done. Let me encourage you to follow the example you have seen in others. And, make sure you are an example others can follow too. You will be glad you did and they will too.  

Read 365 more stories (one for every day of the year) in Mark’s book Let Me Encourage You by Mark Hopper. During our holiday sale you can purchase two books for only $30 plus postage ($5). Buy a book for yourself and give one to a friend. Order your books today at markh@efreedb.org.

Washing Dishes

I don’t remember doing dishes when I was growing up. I know my parents did not own a dish washer until I was middle school. I lived at home during my college years so I never had an apartment until I got married. So I didn’t have a lot of experience washing dishes.

After my wife and I got married she worked full-time while I studied full-time in graduate school. She usually fixed dinner then I would dig into my homework. One day it dawned on me that if I helped wash the dishes we could get them done in half the time. She would have time to relax and I still had time to study.

I preferred to wash and she was willing to dry and put the clean dishes away. It became a good routine. One of the benefits of washing dishes was talking together. I used to say that we solved most of the world’s problems while we washed dishes.

As our children grew up they were expected to wash dishes after dinner. Sometimes I would help them. It gave me an opportunity to talk with them one-on-one.

At family holiday gatherings I often found myself helping with the dishes with my sister-in-law Linda. She and her family lived in Colorado and we lived in Arizona. But it gave us time to catch up on our kids and careers doing dishes after holiday dinners.

There is a passage in the Bible when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:1-14). In Bible times most people wore sandals. Dirt roads and pathways left feet dusty and dirty. It was common for a servant to wash the feet of people who entered a home. Jesus took on the role of a servant and washed the feet of his disciples to provide an example for them to follow. True leaders are humble and willing to serve those they lead.

I always said that real men wash dishes and change diapers. We only had cloth diapers when our kids were young. You had to dunk the dirty ones in the toilet before we put them in the washing machine. Real men wash dishes and change diapers.

Let me encourage you to be willing to wash dishes and change diapers. Lead by example. Show your wife and kids that you are a servant leader – willing to do the dirty work. You will be glad you did and they will too!

You can read 365 more stories by the author (one for every day of the year) in his book Let Mark Encourage You by Mark Hopper. You can purchase two books for only $30 plus postage ($5) – buy one for yourself and give one as a gift this holiday season. Order your copies today at markh@efreedb.org.

Father’s Day Is Coming

Father’s Day is Coming

Father’s Day is not only a time to remember and honor our own fathers. It is also a helpful reminder of the privilege and responsibility to all of us who are fathers of our own children.

Most of us were not trained or prepared on how to be a good dad.  We just learned along the way. Many of us had good models to follow by watching our own fathers. But, I think most men feel unprepared for the role of being a dad to their own children.

There is a short passage in the Bible that points out three specific things fathers need to do for their children. In First Thessalonians 2:12, the Apostle Paul said that “he dealt with the people in this new church in northern Greece like a father deals with his own children”.

First, he encouraged them. I’m convinced one of the best things a father can do for his children is to provide lots of encouragement. Children often face discouragement and disappointment. They need a father who can reassure and encourage them on a daily basis. Your kids need a steady flow of encouraging words!

Second, Paul comforted these new believers. Fathers need to provide comfort and reassurance for their kids. Children experience fear and concerns. They get scrapes and bruises. They need a father who can pick them up and help them get back on their feet.

Third, children need to be challenged. Fathers need to help their children gain self-confidence in this competitive world. They need to believe they can succeed. One way to do this is to challenge your children to do things that they are reluctant to try. When children experience success, it strengthens their self-confidence. It helps them realize that they can do more than they thought they could.

Let me encourage you to look for ways to encourage, comfort and challenge your children. You will be glad you did and they will too!  Happy Father’s Day!

This article is part of a book written by Mark Hopper titled “Let Me Encourage You” which contains 365 inspiring stories and articles – one for every day of the year. To get a copy of his book email the author at markh@efreedb.org.