Very soon, my son-in-law, Daniel, will enter a new phase in his life. Likewise, so will John, a young man in our church. Both men will step into a brave new world—the world of “daddyhood.”
These young men are probably grappling with many questions. They may wonder what kind of father they will be and what sort of changes and sacrifices they will need to make in their lives. They probably pray for the strength and courage to do a good job. “Will I tend to be too strict?” “Will I tend to be too lenient?” “Will I know what to do?”
I’m still compiling my list of “fatherly advice” for these young men, but if you have any sage wisdom to share with them, please comment! What advice do you have for a new father?
As you help me develop a good list for these men, it is helpful for us all to remember, fatherhood is not for wimps…
My least favorite verse in the bible is also the one place I would go to share advice with married men (both new and old). In Proverbs, King Solomon shares this with his sons: “Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, and attend to your herds.”
My link above shares more detail then I will go into here, but this verse carries a wealth of information for newly married men, as you liken Solomon’s warning as an analogy towards marriage and family. There are many men that call themselves shepherds of their families, but Solomon pushes us a bit in this verse. He pushes us to not just be present with our flock, but to know “the state of the flock.” That’s a tough job, but it’s worse when he says to do this diligently! Nothing can be more humbling for a husband/father, then to actually go through and take account for the state of his flocks. This is especially difficult when his flock is not in a state of good health and care, yet we are called to diligently know the state of the flock (hint: before the flock shows signs of illness, injury or neglect).
Secondly, we are told to attend to our herds. It is the responsibility of the husband/father to attend to his herds and care for their needs. Too often, young men yield the care of their young families to the church, an author, a blog (egads!), or the radio. We are the ones called to attend to our herds and to meet their needs.
If it wasn’t late…and I wasn’t writing…I’d develop this thought more…but I must go attend to my herds myself…
Fletch
By: Fletch on November 19, 2007
at 7:11 am
Hello Paster MacDonald,
That was a rather funny video. How is the MacDonald Family doing? I will be checking this blog often for more advice. Talk to you soon.
T.C.C -Nathan-
By: Nathan Davis on November 19, 2007
at 9:53 pm
Never forget the sorry state of natural man…something we must keep depending upon the grace of Christ to overcome this side of heaven. Do not presume that your selfishness doesn’t also extend to the affect lives of your children. It’s hard to imagine that you would harbor selfishness at the expense of your child’s needs; rather, a new father often is more concerned about lavishing too much upon their long awaited gift from God.
My advice would be to humbly pray, often, that you are given the grace to “turn your heart to your child” (Lk 1:17). Only then can you hope that your child will turn his/her heart toward you.
By: Erin Frye on November 19, 2007
at 11:43 pm