Dear Dad

I was in a second hand shop the other day and bought a book,
yes a real book printed on paper. I have nothing against electronic books, I
have a tablet which lets me read books on it also, but I guess I'm of the
generation that still likes to hold a book printed on real paper too.

Anyway, a few days later I started reading the book. As I
normally do, I read the front and rear covers and normally check to see what
year the book was written, etc. (just a curiosity of mine). While looking the
book over I found an inscription in the front of the book and the inscription
has more meaning than the book it'self.

In 1993 two children, Rachal and Richard wrote this message
(in part) in the cover of the book: "Dear Dad… I read something today that
reminded me of you, so here it is… 'A father is strong, yet flexible; wise, yet
always learning; a leader, yet serving others.' That's you dad! We love
you."

We all dream of having the "Perfect" relationship
with our children patterned after some thing we have seen, read or been taught.
The problem is that many in our world rarely have that kind of relationship. We
have been blessed in our family in the fact that now as adults our children
seem to like us pretty well, but it wasn't always that way when they were growing
up. There were lots of times when they probably didn't like us very well, maybe
even wished they had other parents who were more like their idea of the
"Perfect" parents.

That's part of what being a dad is about though, isn't it? A
dad is a source of love and protection, but he is also a source of rules and
discipline. As the inscription said, "A father is strong, yet flexible;
wise, yet always learning; a leader, yet serving others." The Scripture
instructs us as parents, to "Train up a child in the way they should go."
(Proverbs 22:6), and from experience I can tell you, that's not always easy.

Too often today, it seems that Dad's try and be "Best
Friends" to their children, but you can't "Always" be in that
place, because God gave you a greater job. Sometimes you have to face up to the
fact that there are times while they are growing up, that you kids won't like
you very well, but that's how it is suppose to be. Because no one likes to be
disciplined, the scripture tells us, "No discipline is enjoyable while it is
happening, it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of
right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews
12:11, NLT)

Now that they are adults our children can appreciate the
discipline they had while growing up in our home. Occasionally, I'll even get
the "Dear Dad" note or phone call. Those are special and meaningful,
but I don't believe they would happen, if I had been less than a "Real
Dad" while they were growing up. So, dad's, if you want to change the
world, if you want to raise good kids, step up to the place and responsibility
God has given you.

And Rachal and Richard, you message is still appreciated,
even by a different dad than your own.

Russ Lawson, Messages From The Heart

BLOG: http://messages-from.blogspot.com

Messages from the Heart is sent several times each week written by Russ Lawson.

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Books by Russ Lawson @
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THE HOT WHEEL'S CRASH….

Yesterday I was
reading my diary from a couple of years ago and read about the following
incident. I thought perhaps it would be worth sharing my insights…

Well, the grandson
was here again today and as is usual, the unusual happens when he is around.

Grandma had to leave
for a little while and he has asked me to take him for a walk (translation: you
walk with the dog on the leash and I'll ride my hot wheels bike with you trying
to keep up). Well that afternoon we did take our walk, got out the Hot Wheels
and put on the riding helmet and took off. We enjoyed looking at bugs on the
sidewalk and even stopped by his preschool teachers home, but she wasn't home.
It wasn't a long walk, just around a large block in the city, so when we got
home we stayed outside and let him ride his Hot Wheels on our paved driveway.

The drive has a
pretty good slope down to the garage and he enjoys going to the top of hill and
coasting back down as fast as he can go. Well, this went well for a few times
then he started to get tired and said, "Grandpa, would you push me back up
the hill?" Of course I did and that became the routine. He would hold out
his feet and I would push him pretty fast (for a grandpa) back up the hill.

Well, one of the
times we were going up the hill I saw his feet dip and get mixed up with the
tire and the Hot Wheels started to turn over and I stumbled into it and started
to fall on top of him and the bike. Without even thinking about it I wrapped my
arms around him and the bike and threw myself over on my side and roll over
with him and the bike ending up on top. Thankfully he wasn't hurt at all, but
for grandpa, that's a different matter. It's not terrible, it's not life
threatening, but try skidding on broom finished concrete. I got a couple of
scrapes that drew enough blood to get a couple of oohs from Christopher, as
well as my back, shoulder, etc. muscles hurting like I was beaten. Christopher
told me a kiss from grandma and a Spiderman bandage would make it all better. I
however made a quick trip to the pain reliever bottle and waited for
grandmother to get back and doctor me.

The question is,
"Why did I do that without a moment's hesitation"? The answer is that
"I love him more than myself and have no hesitation at taking any pain to
prevent his injury. Any similarity between God and me is purely accidental, but
the motivation is the same isn't it. The question is "Why did God allow
his Son to die on a cross"? Because he would do anything to prevent pain
and separation for his people, the human race! "For God so loved the world
(people) that he gave his only begotten son that who ever believes on him
should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

A kiss and a
Spiderman Bandage won't take away your sin; it took the sacrifice of a life to
do that!

Have you said
"Thank You to God lately"?

(Grandpa) Russ
Lawson