Serve the Lord with gladness (Part VI)
Posted By admin1 on June 21, 2009
Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12.
Fathers are often not celebrated the same way mothers are. One of the contributing factors is the increase in number of families headed by women. As a result, the good fathers are often thrown in the same mix of the fathers who do not man-up to their family obligations and duties.
This state has affected the general perception of the value and contributions of fathers in families in particular and in society in general. To contribute to the healing of families and general awareness of the values of the role of fathers, mothers should encourage their children to love and honour their fathers in spite of their weaknesses. We can serve the Lord also by honouring our fathers in these ways:
Reciprocate the love and affection we receive from our fathers. Fathers love differently than mothers. It does not mean that they love less. Their love too, must be acknowledged and reciprocated (St. Matthew 7:12).
Knowing that we ourselves are imperfect, let us tolerate our fathers and love them unconditionally for love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, edureth all things (I Corinthians 13:7). It is our believe in them, which will make them live up to our expectations.
Sometimes we may feel that our fathers are not worthy of our honour and respect due to their short comings. However justified we may feel, let us remember that God did not give us conditions when to honour our fathers. Honour them unconditionally (Exodus 20:12).
Accept the fathers for who they are. Eliminate the temptation to compare your father unfairly with other fathers. As people in general, we seldom face the same problems and opportunities. When we accept and cherish our fathers, they too will serve us better.
Sometimes it may be harder to forgive those close to us because we hold them to a higher standard. Sometimes this may mean that we should be the ones offering forgiveness, instead of just expecting to receive. For if we do not forgive, neither will our father in heaven forgive (St. Mark 11:26)
Fathers are valuable in the lives of both the children and their mothers. Our tenderness and love towards them, will encourage them to do their best. Our focus on the positive contributions they make in our lives, families and society, will encourage other fathers to follow the good examples of their peers. When we make daily efforts to serve our fathers with love and kindness through out the year, and fathers strive to meet the expectations, then Fathers’ Day will be more meaningful. We all have to make our positive contributions to make the family unit stay in tact. Whilst everyone of us has short comings, it is the perfect love that casteth out fear (1 John 4:18). Our love for one another should lead us to serve one another as unto the Lord (Ephesians 6:5).
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God is good everyday.
I SHALL SERVE HIM, AND ONLY HIM
AMEN
Amen and Amen,I am blessed