For Fathers: Encouraging Your Children

“Just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

It seems to be a given from the Scripture that fathers encourage and comfort their children. It is part of common grace. However, in many cases fathers are not doing that. Here is a quotation from George MacDonald:

“Like many Scots, while Phemy was his one joy, he seldom showed her sign of affection, seldom made her feel, and never sought to make her feel how he loved her.” Heather and Snow, George MacDonald

Unhappily, in thirty-two years of ministering to high school and college-age people, I have found that the above description is an accurate description of many father-child relationships. If you are a father, please do not let it describe you.

 

Written April 1988.

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