Lk 18:15 (GW) Some people brought infants to Jesus to have him hold them. When the disciples saw this, they told the people not to do that. But Jesus called the infants to him and said, “Don’t stop the children from coming to me! Children like these are part of the kingdom of God.”
I have been blessed this past week to have spent a delightful time with a good friend of mine’s nieces. They were such a joy and delight to be around all week. I came away with a great appreciation for parents and a deep regret for not being one myself. I can echo the words of the psalmist when he states:
“Don’t you see that children are GOD’s best gift? the fruit of the womb his generous legacy?” Psalm 127:3
What a privilege parents have been given to be endowed with such an honor. Children are indeed a heritage to treasure and a resource to be valued. Whom is it that can look upon the face of a child and not see the hand of God? The week I got to spend with these lovely blessings from God had a great impact upon my life.
Not being a parent it is hard to understand the love a father has for a child but being entrusted with the safety of another’s child was very humbling to say the least. Parents have set certain standards for their households and their own children so when I was given the responsibility of caring for these children as a surrogate, I was awestruck with the enormity of the task. To think that these parents trusted me enough to be a watchman over these precious souls.
What should you allow and not allow? When is bed time? What do you serve for meals? What allergies do these children have? Are they afraid of anything? What level of responsibility should one allow them to assume? Are they permitted to make their own purchases at the store? Candy free zone? What personality types are we dealing with? What bad habits do they have? What do you do when one of them gets sick? My mind was numb with questions. There was no instruction manual to read and no internet course I could study to become a caretaker. I had to rely on my instincts and my own experiences as a child growing up.
Being raised in a dysfunctional household did not lend itself well as a model for good parenting skills. Therefore I could not rely on my own experiences I had to look for a different model. An example of fatherhood that is reliable and trustworthy.
