Having Some Fun Together

Father’s Day is soon upon us (September 4) and I am reminded of this as I witnessed our son, Tim, in his role as dad of his and his wife, Kristen’s, three children living in Cambodia where Tim is a teacher at the Hope International School. Tim and the two oldest of the three children were in a swimming pool having some fun together and splashing and swimming underwater on Dad’s back. 

Seven-year-old Mikayla and her dad spoke briefly and Dad lowered himself down into the water. Mikayla placed her hands on Dad’s head to help balance herself and Dad placed his hands under Mikayla’s feet and gently lifted her out of the water. Soon, Mikayla was standing straight and tall on Dad’s hands, keeping balance with her arms outstretched. A look of delight was on Mikayla’s face! Soon, there was laughter and then a big splash as Mikayla   deliberately overbalanced herself backwards. “My turn! My turn!” pleaded five-year-old Joshua. Soon, Joshua was balancing up in the air on Dad’s outstretched hands with great joy on his face. Three-year-old Chloe did not miss out, as soon, on the edge of the pool, she was somersaulting in Dad’s arms with happiness on her face. 

How children love fun and adventure with their dads (and mums too!), whether learning to ride a bike, fly a kite, camping in a tent overnight in the backyard, digging a vegetable garden together or simply listening to an adventure story read by Dad. 

A father went walking on an errand in snowy conditions. He heard the house door shut behind him and turned around. There was his young son following him. Dad asked his son, “Why are you following me when it is so cold outside?” His son replied, “I am walking in Daddy’s footsteps.” Yes, his young son was indeed taking large steps to plant his own small feet exactly where Dad’s own big footmarks were in the snow – this was a bit of fun for his son! 

Dad sent his son back into the house where it was warm and protected from the bitterly cold wind. Now, as Dad walked, he reflected on the words of his son, “I am walking in Daddy’s footsteps.” He realised in a new way how important his own example was in the journey of life for his son. The dad prayed a little prayer: “Lord, help me be a good example to my son. Amen!” 

Henry Bosch, as a schoolboy, worked with his father during the summer months. Each morning, they stopped to pick up the early edition of the newspaper at a small grocery store. One morning when they got to work, Dad found that by mistake, he had taken two newspapers instead of one. He first thought of paying the man the extra price the next morning, but then, after a moment’s consideration he said, “I had better go back with this paper. I don’t want the man at the store to think I’m dishonest.” So, he returned the paper.

One week later, someone stole money from the grocery store. When police pinpointed the time it occurred, the grocer remembered only two people being in the store at the time. The grocer immediately dismissed the father as a suspect, saying, “That man is really honest. He came all the way back here just to return a newspaper he took by mistake.” The police then focused their investigation on the other man, who soon made a full confession. Henry said, “My father’s honesty made a big impression on that storeowner and on me.” Fathers, be reminded how important is our example to our children.

Today and every day, be reminded of the preciousness of relationships. On Father’s Day and every day, let’s remember our Heavenly Father who gives us the gift of life and wants us to become part of His family by repenting and putting our trust in Jesus, His Son. Happy Father’s Day dads, have some fun together and be reminded that there is someone following in your footsteps.