Discovering YOU Magazine June 2018 Issue | Page 40

SPIRITUALITY AND FAITH

A FATHER'S LOVE

Article by Francine Houston

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow [a]cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. It was of His own will that He gave us birth [as His children] by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits of His creatures [a prime example of what He created to be set apart to Himself—sanctified, made holy for His divine purposes], James 1:17-18, NASB.

"The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy," Ps. 145:8, NASB.

That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved, St. John 3:15-17, NASB.

One of the good gifts, God has given people are parents. I want to specifically talk about fathers. Fathers protect their children, discipline them and guide them through life with the word of God. This generation we live in is the most fatherless generation I have ever seen. Most children grow up without their father in their lives, especially male children. How would they learn how to be men (fathers) without an example? How would young girls learn how to treat their future husbands without a man (father) around?

My own father was not present in my life as well. (However I hear from him from time to time, a text message or I visit on holidays or other occasions). I lived with my grandparents instead (my parents were divorced). My grandpa and uncles were the only male role models