A Word from Dad - Give a Blessing
This Father's Day, dads have a great opportunity to change a life and break a cycle. The lead article of this June Family Advocate is a true story about a dad blessing his son. Every child wants a blessing from his dad. Even adult children want affirmation from their dads. The silent question in the mind of every child both young and old is, "Dad, do you love me and why?"
This Father's Day is the perfect opportunity for dad to give each child the gift that can change a life forever - a blessing. When your children are giving you a card and thanking you for being such a great dad, bless them with a personal note that tells them that you love them. Tell each child something unique that you believe he or she has been specifically gifted by God.
Today's child is screaming for worth. Children have been taught by our society that they are only valued by their performance. The culture says, "You will be valuable one day when you become the best at doing or performing something."
The Bible, however, proclaims that we are each uniquely and awesomely made (Palms 139:14). We are valuable individuals and we are made with unique gifts…creative gifts from God for a specific purpose. Unfortunately, children don't know that. When children are not taught that they are awesome and unique they grow up to be adults who don't know that they are individually valuable. If we are not taught as children that we are loved for our own individual uniqueness, then we may, in turn, hunt for worth by conforming to the patterns and values of this world (Romans 12:2).
If a child grows up without being affirmed by his parents, a unique individual is automatically at risk to be lost. Dads have an amazing opportunity to affirm their children this Father's Day by writing and reading a letter to each child at the dinner table. Then give each child his letter after it is read.
The letter to a child can start as easily as:
Dear Billy,
This Father's Day I want to take a moment to tell you that I love you more than you can ever imagine. I love the way you laugh so easily. The laughter God has placed in your heart brings joy to our whole family...
Even a negative area or behavior that sometimes brings turmoil into a home can be explained as a potential blessing:
I know there are many times that you argue with us and you think I get mad at you, but I see this as a potential strength in your life. You have courage to speak up and not be just a follower. I respect that in you and see that God has given you the potential to be a great leader. When I make you write a letter of apology for talking back to your mom, it's not because I don't love you. Just the opposite! It's because I do love you and see that God has great plans to use your tenacity. I love that strength in you and want to help point it in the right direction. It's just one of the areas I respect in you.
Each child today needs to hear from their dad that they are valuable. When a dad continues to reach out and affirm each child, especially the challenging child, he is setting the stage to turn the child over to his or her Heavenly Father. A child left without being blessed regularly by his dad is left to fend for himself in search of a blessing. Many children and teens today are searching is perverse places. Teenage girls are attempting to attract attention by taking their clothes off on facebook or MySpace. Boys are performing for peers in a variety of risk taking attempts for self worth and applause.
Father's Day is a great time to turn the table. Instead of just receiving cards, give a card or letter to each child. Take the time to tell each child that he is loved and specially gifted. Every child desperately needs to believe he is uniquely valuable. Every dad can affirm that this Father's Day.
