Minister’s Corner: A note to fathers

By: REV. BRIAN DORE’

Member of the Ville Platte Ministerial Alliance

God gave to us the ultimate gift in his son Jesus Christ. He sent Jesus into the world to die for our sins so we could be forgiven and live with him forever. But that is not the only gift God has given us. The foundation of our relationship with God is built on all he has given us: our lives, our homes, our parents, our skills, our intellect and on and on.When we allow him to, he gives to us every day of our lives. He meets our needs. He answers our prayers. He tackles our problems. Why? It’s simply because he is a giving god.

If you’re a father, there are two primary things you need to give your children: your money and your time. Both are important. An abundance of one doesn’t negate the need for the other. Your children need you to provide for them materially, and they need for you to be there for them emotionally.

Robert Schuller once said he chose to be a failure at golf so he could be a success as a father. He realized he didn’t have time to pastor a growing church, manage an international television ministry, write best-selling books and play golf and be an attentive father all at the same time. Something had to give, so he dumped golf. It was a sacrifice he considered well worth it.

How about it, dad? Are you a giving father? They need your time and your money. Both are essential, and we have to be diligent to maintain a delicate balance between the two. Children need their father to be more than a provider. They need him to be emotionally available too. Let’s step up to the plate.