With Mother’s Day behind us, and Father Day’s ahead of us, I thought of the difficulty of being parents in this 21st century. The pressure of putting food on the table in this depressed economy is overwhelming. Fathers are too busy tending to their own busyness, and often ignore the role of a teaching father. Our children need more than the motherly tenderness; they also need the stern teachings of a loving and caring father, so that they may grow healthily in this confusing culture. A few years ago, I came across a prayer written by the late General Douglas MacArthur. I printed it out and gave it to my children. I echoed with the General of my hope for my children. I would like to share the prayer with you: “Build me a son, O Lord, who will be strong enough to know when he is weak, and brave enough to face himself when he is afraid; one who will be proud and unbending in honest defeat, and humble and gentle in victory. Build me a son whose wishbone will not be where his backbone should be; a son who will know Thee—and that to know himself is the foundation stone of knowledge. Lead him, I pray, not in the path of ease and comfort, but under the stress and spur of difficulties and challenge. Here, let him learn to stand up in the storm; here, let him learn compassion for those who fall. Build me a son whose heart will be clear, whose goals will be high; a son who will master himself before he seeks to master other men; one who will learn to laugh, yet never forget how to weep; one who will reach into the future, yet never forget the past. And after all these things are his, add, I pray, enough of a sense of humor, so that he may always be serious, yet never take himself too seriously. Give him humility, so that he may always remember the simplicity of true greatness, the open mind of true wisdom, the meekness of true strength.” Praying for our children is important, yet it doesn’t replace spending quality time with them. It is during the casual time that important life-lessons are taught. The younger your children are, the more important it is to give them the time. Soon enough, even if you wanted to give them time, they won’t have time for you! Opportunity doesn’t hang around forever. Therefore, capture the moment to make healthy impressions on their minds while you still have a chance. Before I sign off, I encourage you to pray without ceasing for your children. Praying isn’t the last resort. It should be your first step. But then again, you must know who God is before you can truly pray to Him in faith. Think about it!

Pastor Larry