Shade Tree Wisdom 6/15/08

Father’s Day

So, you did not get a silver money clip engraved with the word “Dad” for Father’s Day. I’m sort of sorry, though, to tell the truth, by the time you fill the gas tank there probably isn’t enough there for a clip to hold anyhow. So it is probably OK .

The first Father’s Day was observed because a Mrs. Dodd in Spokane Washington remembered what her own father had done. She was a one of 6 children, and when the 6th was born, the mother died giving birth, so her Father, William Smart, raised the children by himself. Did everything for them, fed, clothed, nurtured, and saw they all had a good start in life. So to honor that effort, she started the day.

Fathers have ever been high in God’s measure. The Lord lays on them the teaching, the instructing, the passing on. Isaiah said, “The fathers to the children shall make known the truth” Is. 38,19. The Word of God, the truths of living, should be taught. The Bible is filled with that truth. “These words shall be in the heart and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children” Moses taught.

That work is primary, and is urgent. The truths of God should be subject of conversation. Listen to the teaching of Moses. “Talk of them when you sit at home, and when you are out walking, when you lie down, and when you get up.” Educators today use the term “teachable moment”. In short, in daily life, point out the lessons as the moment comes.

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it." taught Soloman in proverbs 6,22.

St. Paul sums up the matter best I believe, when he urges, “And you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” Ephesians 6,4. That is a good summary of the relationship God establishes. If such is yours, be thankful unto Him.

As for that silver money clip. I have reached the years when, as one person put it, the sweetest sound is that voice over the phone saying, “Hello, Dad.” Or when they call and say, Dad, we are taking you and Mom out for Brunch today.

GPD 6/15/08