"The Real Dad"

Leader and friends are rarely two characteristics which

portray a father. Likewise, instruction and love are rare virtues

combined in the process of discipline. Unfortunately, fathers

compose themselves as a rough, tough, insensitive creatures.

"And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:

but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord".

(Ephesians 6:4). Take into careful consideration this following

concept: If God, being our heavenly Father, was never merciful

and always condemning our every mistake or sin, we would not

be so inclined to love Him. But since He is merciful, slow to

anger, and of great kindness, we find love for Him, due to His

wondrous attributes. As fathers, we too, must be gentle, loving

and kind, with an equal and precise balance of correction. Too

often, children are scared, due to the unjust discipline of

their fathers, who allow their authority to supercede their re-

sponsibility. A father is obligated to be a integral role model

for his children to admire and mimic, if not, the children will

become the corrupt image of their fathers.

Love reaps love, hate reaps hate, likewise, insensitivity

will reap insensitivity. Do we want our children to grow up

with adoration for us, as fathers, or, do we want our children

to grow up with detestation for us? We must be receptive to

the delicate needs of our children, and be a figure for them

to find shelter under and not fearful under. I love my children

dearly, I am ever contemplating how I can be a real dad to them

and reach into their sweet hearts with the touch of my love

for them. Doing so, I truly believe their love for me, will

flourish into something beautiful and profound. I want to be

a dad who they can come to in times of trouble and confusion.

In order for this desire of mine to take effect, I must learn

how to relate to my children and fashion myself with attributes

in the likeness of my heavenly Father.

Statistics convey that a child from the ages of birth

to twenty-one, will spend 150,000 hours awake, and only 180

hours will be spent with their fathers, fathers, this should

not be so! The treasures of this world will all pass away, but

children will last forever. Family, is something grieviously

taken for granted, family is and should be forever recognized

as a priceless treasure, a beautiful blessing from God! The

day we fail to realize this, is the day our motives of life

will turn into corruption.

Fathers, love your children, treat them with the respect

they deserve, as God's little creations. The way we nurture

them will result in who they become. God forbid we train them

to become animals and not upright individuals. We have a tremend-

ous duty to be a sound example for them and to instill within

them pure virtues and morals to live by. Being a father can

be wonderful, if we strive to make precious time for our children

and prove our love unto them. 0 that sweet glow in a child's

eye's, cannot compare to anything this world has to offer! On the

event of each Father's Day, what a wonder it would be to be

drenched in the love and appreciation of our children! Let's

be father's worthy of their adoration, and love them effectively!

0 how the heart of a child will rejoice and be glad,

all because they are showered by the love of a "real dad"!

Jeffrey B. Quante IV

June 18, 2000, Father's Day