Me And You, And A Dog Named Danny

I read this interesting story:

This particular family had three small children who were determined to have a puppy. Mom protested because she knew that somehow or other, she would end up caring for the critter. True to form, the children solemnly promised that they would take care of it.

Eventually, she relented and they brought their little puppy home. The children named him Danny and cared for him diligently - at first. But, sure enough, as time passed, Mom found herself becoming more and more responsible for taking care of the dog.

Finally, she decided that the children were not living up to their promise so she began to search for a new home for Danny. When she found one and broke the news to the children, she was quite surprised that they had almost no reaction at all. One of them even said rather matter-of-factly, "We'll miss him."

"I'm sure we will," Mom answered, "but he is too much work for one person and since I'm the one who has to do all the work, I say he goes."

"But," protested another child, "if he wouldn't eat so much and wouldn't be so messy, could we keep him?"

Mom held her ground, "It's time to take Danny to his new home." Suddenly, with one voice and with tears in their eyes, the children exclaimed, "Danny? We thought you said Daddy!"

A Very Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and grandfathers. Indeed, we laugh at the story. It tells the position most fathers have in the hearts of their children. In the story, even the family dog occupies a bigger place in the hearts of those children than their father.

It’s so unfair: children remember Mother’s Day but tend to forget Father’s Day. It looks like mothers are simply GREAT, while fathers need to put in more effort to achieve that. And even then, they will never be as great as mothers. One reason for this lopsided view is this: children can see their mothers’ work around the house. Mothers cook, wash, clean, iron, and tutor their children's schoolwork. They see their fathers as plain lazy: they eat, sleep, and watch TV. And of course, fathers growl, punish, are hot-tempered, and scold their mothers. Anyone who scolds their mother is bad and has committed an unpardonable sin, even if he is daddy.

Children, the commandment of God is to “Honour thy father and thy mother” (Exodus 20:12). It’s not only mothers you must honour, but fathers too.

Have you noticed that in the lions’ society, the lionesses do most of the hunting while the lions rush in to eat as soon as dinner is ready. This behaviour is reminiscent of fathers: mothers do all the cooking and fathers sit and eat when dinner is ready. But the lions play a very important role: they are protectors of the pride. They contribute in different ways from the lionesses.

In the same way, the fathers’ work is outside the home. Children never get to see their fathers at work. But they ought to be sure that their fathers are the providers and protectors of their homes. Fathers pay the bills, give them pocket money, and send them on vacations. Children, your father does not have it easy outside.      

God said this of Abraham: For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him (Genesis 18:19).

Father Abraham not only had to provide and protect his household, but he also had the additional responsibility of bringing up his children in the Lord. Paul commands all fathers: “And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4).

Someone has said (and I believe it is true) that "A boy loves his mother, but he follows his father." That places a tremendous responsibility on fathers. Fathers provide leadership and example for their children. A story is told of a father who was crossing a field to a tavern (a beer house) one day when he looked behind him and saw his son. "Look, Dad," the boy exclaimed, "I'm following in your footsteps." The dad immediately turned around and went back home.

Children, your father may not be much of a talker. He may not be good at showing and expressing his emotions. But he loves you as much as your mother loves you. He knows the tremendous responsibility that is laid upon his shoulders to be a good and godly father. You can be sure: Your father loves you the same.

Therefore, don’t forget to wish your father “A Happy Father’s Day”. Thank him for being the Provider, Protector, and Leader in your family.