What Does Dad Need Most?
Copyright © 2007 Heaven Ministries

“By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he's wrong.” - Charles Wadsworth

It’s that time of year again when we tell dad how much he means to us. Why wait for some holiday to tell your dad how much he means to you? We ought to be appreciating all that our dad does in our lives every single day, not just on Father’s Day. Think about everything your dad has done for you since the day of your birth until now. What life lessons stand out in your mind? Maybe he paid for your education or maybe he taught you how to stand on your own two feet. 

What does dad need most from you? A tie, shirt or shaver? Put yourself in your dad’s shoes and think about what you would want from your children? A lot of dads have the major responsibilities of providing for and protecting the family, and that is a big job! Sometimes it’s difficult making the right decisions and choices, but he has to do it, even if he does not want to. If you are still living at home be understanding of your dads choices for you. Respect his position, so he can do what is right and good for you, even if you don’t always see eye to eye.

Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother” - which is the first commandment with a promise – that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth. (Ephesians 6:1-3 NIV)

Most dads work hard all day. Maybe it’s mind work or maybe it’s physical labor, it doesn’t matter. What does matter is he probably doesn’t ask for much in return for all that he does on any given day. I know that most dads would love to come home to a hot meal and a peaceful home with nice smiling children at the dinner table. If you don’t live at home anymore, maybe dad would like help him with a project around the house that has gotten too difficult for him to do, or maybe he would just like to spend some time with you. 

Do something special for your dad once a month; don’t wait for some holiday to express yourself. Let him know how much you love him for just being who he is -- your dad. And above all, always respect your dad because that is what he needs most from you. To end this article I will leave you with some great inspirational quotes about dads. 

“The greatest gift I ever had came from God, and I call him Dad!” - Anonymous

“The father who does not teach his son his duties is equally guilty with the son who neglects them.” - Confucius

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years.” - Mark Twain

“He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it.” - Clarence Budington Kelland