The Impact of a Parent
Parents lay the foundation of a child’s view of life—for good or for bad.
Father’s Day is past, but the importance of the position of a father—or mother—in a child’s life remain. I was blessed with parents that positively impacted my life. Naturally, my recent focus has been on my father. I was blessed with a dad that took parenting seriously.
My father was boss. When he told us to do something, we obeyed. We knew better than to beg, whine, or disobey. Begging and whining didn’t do any good. Disobedience brought consequences—consequences which are now frowned upon by many, but they were mighty effective, even though not administered in anger.
At the same time, Daddy loved his children. I have fond memories of rough-housing with him as a pre-schooler and taking hikes in the woods as a young child. Once we camped out under the pine trees in the back field—shortly after he’d returned from the Korean War and had experienced enough “picnics” and “camping” for a life time.
At the end of his work day, my siblings and I waited expectantly on the porch until we saw his truck top the hill, then we’d run to meet him. He paused at the end of the driveway so we could ride up the drive on the back bumper and running board of his pickup truck.
In September of his 94th year, his blood count was dangerously low. It was time for another transfusion to keep his body going. We weren’t surprised with his declaration, “No more. Blood is limited, and somebody else needs it more than I do.”
We were sure he only had weeks to live, but he did not give up so easily.
Six months later, when I visited, he was sitting at the breakfast table eating his breakfast—not in bed or reclining in a wheel chair needing to be fed, as I expected. Instead, he insisted that I eat his banana, even though I’d already had breakfast.
I’m grateful I had a father I can celebrate. He taught me many things.
- I learned the importance of being under authority, and that there are consequences when I disobeyed. It’s much easier to trust and obey God when your father sets a good example and requires obedience.
- He also loved me unconditionally, believed in me, and challenged me to do my best. He made time to include me in his life and went out of his way to spend time with me. If he hadn’t shown love, it would be much more difficult to understand that God loves me.
- Daddy also demonstrated a life of self-sacrifice. He put others before himself, and he lived it to the end. Because of his example, it’s not difficult to believe that God loves me and wants the best for me.
It’s impossible to measure the impact a parent has on a child.
As a parent, if you feel inadequate that’s good—if you seek the Lord for all those things you lack, such as love, wisdom, patience, knowledge, and more that is needed as a parent .
We don’t have to walk the path of parenting alone. The Lord is with us and will guide us if we hope in Him and follow His lead.