As a father I have taken my boys on numerous father-and-sons campouts. Those campouts will forever remain as some of the highlights of our lives as we played wickedly awesome capture the flag games, learned of forest life as found in the plants, insects and animals, and talked under the stars about anything and everything until the wee morning hours, not wanting the experience to end.
As a father I have taken my boys on numerous father-and-sons campouts. Those campouts will forever remain as some of the highlights of our lives as we played wickedly awesome capture the flag games, learned of forest life as found in the plants, insects and animals, and talked under the stars about anything and everything until the wee morning hours, not wanting the experience to end.
But end they did, and it was back to work with all of the daily struggles that fathers have by divine decree. Daddies have so many duties it can be a bit challenging at times.
They must work to provide sustenance, discipline on occasion to correct behavior, and love in order to teach how to love. But there is another duty that if neglected will change the world, for as sure as is the sunrise, daddies are windows to the world for those who come behind. How they see the world will determine to a great degree how future generations will also see the world. This duty cannot be escaped, even if one so tries.
As Jesus Christ walked the earth he taught others to see the world around them in special ways as he encouraged them to consider the lilies of the field, or to pay attention to the sparrows or the fig tree and its relationship to future events. He helped us see life through different eyes, showing us miracles within even the simple and mundane.
Daddies have been charged with this same duty. It is a solemn obligation to be a daddy to young ones whose imaginations and curiosities are unbounded. From the lilies and dandelions of the field can be taught lessons of beauty and diligence despite our surroundings.
From the smallest little bug, respect for the magnificence of all God’s creations may come to impressionable minds as a patient father gets down in the dirt with a magnifying glass and a child by his side, marveling at such a wondrous little bug with all of its legs and parts scurrying along.
From there we may teach them that stars are not just twinkling lights, but can testify to us over and over again that from the smallest bug to the brightest orb, there is beauty and order to life, and that “any man who has seen the least of these hath seen God moving in his majesty and power.”
Childhood is more than just a time of play and discovery. It is a time when hearts and minds will be filled with those memories and visions that will chart the course of their eternities.
Daddies play an integral role in this development, for good or bad. It cannot be delegated. Little ones have a right to depend on us for this treasure. So let us not give our children the cook’s tour of life, but follow our Savior’s example by teaching them to see beauty, wonder and order in all things.
•••
Craig Lindquist is a resident of Kauai.
