Love is not just a word that we could teach to our children. You don't give the definition, you show them how it is done. Yet I think it's but natural for a parent to love their kids simply because children are the fruit of the union of both parents. I love you because you are my child, so to speak.
With four kids, loving each of them is a big challenge. As they were born, I was settled with my responsibility as a father. My main job? To love them. I believe that all I was doing for them was an outburst of my love to them. But as a person, I admit it was very hard for me to express love when your kids are growing undisciplined and disobedient. My heart bleeds when family rules were ignored and sometimes disobeyed. As they grew, I find myself using the rod and scolding them for their wrongdoings. It hurts me most when I impose disciplinary actions. I say to myself, "I am doing this because I love them." As the Proverbs reminded us, "A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother" (Prov. 29:15).
Obedient children brings joy to the heart of a father (cf. Prov 10:1; 17:25). It showers love and make it more intense for the father to love his children more. Fathers blessed with good sons and daughters lives a life blessing his kids more than what is expected of him. But this doesn't mean we show lesser love to children who are the so called "black sheep." Actually, they need our love more than what we show to other siblings. And if we are on the sowing stage, diligently sow love to the lives of our children.
Admitted, I'm still learning my lessons on this. I have to hurry up and make a double time loving my kids. Because soon enough, they are not kids anymore.
Papang (Dad)
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