A Love Measured in Memories

"If you want to be in your children's memories tomorrow, you have to be in their lives today."

This Father's Day, we had a guest speaker share his journey in the marketplace and how God showed him this need for fathers to be more active in the lives of their children arising from his work with broken families, abused children and errant youths. His observations and heart for the role of fathers has culminated in the Dads for Life movement.

It was a heartwarming and inspirational sharing while it was astonishing to find out that if each church just took in one foster child, we would empty half the orphanages! More of him sharing on being a dad can be found here.

Some snippets from the article:

A large part of my working life was spent behind bars - as a prison officer. For 17 years, I was surrounded by inmates from different backgrounds; drug addicts and hardcore criminals, among others. I saw first-hand what bad or absent parenting, especially fathering, could do to children and adults. 

I knew early on in my own family life, from watching these men and their lives, what kind of father I wanted to be. In recent years, I have been working with at-risk children and youths and multi-problem families, and have been struck by the absence of a father-figure in their lives. 

My professional life has taught me a simple principle I hold very dear: It is easier to build boys and children than to fix men and adults...

The richness of a father's love is best measured in the lasting memories we leave for our children. These memories will one day guide them and comfort them as they comfort me. 

Thinking back to my Dad, I know that he has never failed to provide for the family and his love more often than not is shown through acts of service. He is also one of the most generous people I know and he cares enough to give up his own needs just for us. Alas, my appreciation for him is understated at best. There is so much more that I can do to thank him for his hard work in bringing me up. Although it's never too late, it's time to re-think my attitude.