Many years ago as a young parent, I heard the following song for the first time. I wanted to give my children the best that I could and realized that money and things were really not the most important gifts I could give my children. In honor of fathers and the role they play in their children's lives, I'd like to share the words of this song with you. I pray that it will be an inspiration for fathers (and mothers) to put priorities in the right order and make sure that the gift they give their children is one that will last for all eternity.
THE GREATEST GIFT
Song and Lyrics by: Steve and Annie Chapman
1. You can give your children houses
You can give them land
The riches of your efforts
And all your best laid plans
But of all that they inherit
Of all that you could will
Please include the unseen treasure
of a life that God has filled.
CHORUS: Cause the greatest gift a father can give
is a life lived for Jesus
And the greatest gift a mother can give
is the knowledge of the LORD
Pass it on to your children
He’s the gift that keeps on giving
The greatest gift is a life lived for Jesus
The riches of your efforts
And all your best laid plans
But of all that they inherit
Of all that you could will
Please include the unseen treasure
of a life that God has filled.
CHORUS: Cause the greatest gift a father can give
is a life lived for Jesus
And the greatest gift a mother can give
is the knowledge of the LORD
Pass it on to your children
He’s the gift that keeps on giving
The greatest gift is a life lived for Jesus
2. One day the house will crumble
Time will turn the land to dust
And when all accounts are empty
Where will you invest their trust
But if the riches that you give them
is the wisdom of His ways
Then the wealth you’ll leave your children
will last through all their days
CHORUS: Cause the greatest gift a father can give
is a life lived for Jesus
And the greatest gift a mother can give
is the knowledge of the LORD
Pass it on to your children
He’s the gift that keeps on giving
The greatest gift is a life lived for Jesus
I am so thankful that my dad and mom knew this when I was growing up. I pray that my children could see this in my life while they were little and even now as they are grown. I pray that you also will live the words of this song for your children as you raise them up in the Lord.
There are many quotes that encourage fathers as they parent their children...two of my favorites are:
"The best thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother."
John Wooden
"One night a father overheard his son pray: Dear God, Make me the kind of
man my Daddy is. Later that night, the Father prayed, Dear God, Make me
the kind of man my son wants me to be."
Anonymous
As you strive to become a father like your Heavenly Father allow these scriptures to guide and encourage you.
Joshua 1:9
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)
...Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (NIV)
Proverbs 3:11-12
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)
My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in. (NIV)
Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
