Father Knows Best
Posted by Rachel Balducci in Family on Friday, June 19, 2009 9:00 AM
In honor of Father’s Day, I decided to pose a few questions to the best dad I know—mine! (I’m sure your dad is great too, of course!)
Dad, thanks for taking the time to answer. Thanks for devoting yourself so whole-heartedly to your wife and children. That you enjoy being with us so much makes life sweet.
1. What is the best part about Fatherhood?
In an earthly sense there is the great joy of developing relationships with one’s adult children. To watch and be involved in the joys and agonies of children as they grow into adults is a genuine privilege. There is the giving and receiving of love as well. In a spiritual sense is the humility that comes through the process. We work like it depends on us then pray like it depends on God, only to learn how much truly does depend on God. One learns a lot about God’s graciousness as we see Him at work in the lives of our children.
2. How has your relationship with your children changed as they’ve gotten older?
When the children were younger the relationship had an authority with obedience attached. Now, with all adult children, that relationship is based more on suggestion. I used to tell the children what to do; now I wait for them to ask my opinion. I think I love the children as much and still treasure each moment. I have always realized that the time we had together was precious and limited (our earthly time, that is.) It is still precious and even more limited.
3. What advice would you give my boys (your grandsons) years from now when they are old enough to start a family of their own?
The same advice I have tried to instill in our family - largely as a result of never having been able to say goodbye to my father before his death. Don’t separate from each other in anger and take every advantage to hug each other…twice when possible, a “hug for the road” is what we call it. Be humble, honor your father and mother, and be the kind of friend YOU would bring home to YOUR mother.
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