A seven-year-old boy laughed one summer night when his father held him high to the stars.
“Look, son!”
Just then, a white flame skirted across the astonished heavens.
And then another star skipped across and dipped into the lake.
“What’s happening, Dad?”
“Shooting stars. They show up every summer, usually late July and August. It’s really something.”
Decades have passed, but I’ll never forget that night when Dad held me to the stars.
No doubt, I have many memories with Claude Blaising.
But that night was special. It reminds me of three things kids need most in a dad.
1. A good father opens doors
Dad didn’t hesitate to lift me high into the sky. He picked me up laughing.
- He wanted me to see wonder.
- He wanted me to see newness.
He loved taking me fishing because that’s the playground of wondrous things.
The subtle skill of adding dimensions is a big deal for kids.
It’s a magical tool for dads.
You merely open new doors with . . .
- a trip
- a date
No big time commitment.
It simply involves doing things with our kids instead of for them.
2. A good father values mentors
Dad didn’t know he was sowing lifelong lessons.
I don’t know if he ever used the word “mentor.”
He spoke often of Uncle Tommy, his mentor, who…
- took dad fishing
- took dad ranching
Uncle Tommy opened the doors of wonder.
So dad did the same for me, my brother, and my sister.
He told us that good decisions lead to a good life.
- “Get your education.”
- “Keep it together.”
- “Trust the Lord.”
Thanks, Dad, for reminding us to value mentors.
3. A good father teaches perspective
Someone once told me there are two kinds of folks.
Those who see life as a problem and those who see it as a privilege.
This really shows up when suffering. When you wanna quit.
That’s why I think Dad and Mom took us to church.
They wanted us to believe in hope, that destiny is all.
I read Paul’s letter to the Philippians when I need hope.
The Apostle had been . . .
- shipwrecked
- stoned
- beaten
. . . and yet he uses the words “joy” and “rejoice” 19 times while chained in prison.
He saw problems as an advantage for his cause.
“Now I want you to know, my brothers, that what has happened to me has, in effect, turned out to the advantage of the gospel.” Philippians 1:12, PHILLIPS
Dad always said . . .
- “Finish what you start.”
- “Stay with it.”
- “Don’t quit.”
What are you saying to inspire kids?