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What would Dad do?
What time did the man go to the dentist? Tooth hurt-y. What happened when the oyster went dancing? He pulled a muscle.
Like most Kiwi kids, I grew up with dad jokes. It was our role as children to look bored and roll our eyes. But, of course, we secretly loved them. And now I find myself repeating my dad’s jokes to my own pre-schooler, trying to at least get a pity laugh.
When we become parents ourselves, we end up repeating the very same words to our children that we heard growing up. For some, this can be destructive. But my dad’s advice was grounded in his love for the Bible and the teachings of Jesus.
Dad was the one who taught me that there was no point in worrying, but that we can tell our worries to Jesus. I gave my son the same advice the other night, when he was scared of the dark.
I recently heard someone say that when they are faced with challenges, they often think, ‘WWDD? What Would Dad Do?’ If you can trust the advice and wisdom of your father, you’re one of the lucky ones. And this Father’s Day is an opportunity to celebrate the special place dads have in our lives, imparting to us their love, wisdom, advice and—whether we like it or not—their jokes.
Of course, not everyone grows up with a father who reflects the nature of our heavenly dad. But if your own father failed you, God promises he will not. ‘Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close,’ says Psalm 27:10 (NLT).
We never stop being parented and nurtured by our Heavenly Father. If your own dad was critical, turn your ear to the loving words of the Father. If you were hurt, let God be a gentle touch in your life. If you couldn’t laugh with your dad, let God be your joy.
As we learn to model God’s character, we can become the kind of parents our children need.
I recently read some excellent ‘dad advice’ from Wm. Paul Young, author of The Shack, who has six children. He reflects on the scripture ‘train up a child in the way that they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it’ (Proverbs 22:6).
We have interpreted this Bible verse as if there is ‘a way’—a formula—by which we should raise children. But this verse actually says we should allow children to discover the way they should go. Young says, ‘We, as parents and teachers, are invited into the sacred trust of helping each of [our children] discover what that way is—a way that will be a unique expression of who they are as a person.’
As parents, our greatest role is to help our children discover who God made them to be. We provide a safe place for them to explore their individuality and their strengths, while being a guiding hand where they are weak.
A parent is a link in the chain to the generations that came before our children, and will come after. Each link in this chain is unique. Where one link has become broken, our Heavenly Father can stand in to restore the chain. In this way, the bonds of love that connect us all become a kaleidoscope of colour—every one expressing a unique relationship, a special place and a sacred bond. These bonds of love are what we remember this Father’s Day. That … and dad’s terrible jokes.
by Ingrid Barratt(c) 'War Cry' magazine, 3 September 2016, pp 3
You can read 'War Cry' at your nearest Salvation Army church or centre, or subscribe through Salvationist Resources.