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    Why did God create Dads?

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    Kids Talk About God
    Kids Talk About God

    Kids Talk About God

    Why did God create Dads?

    By Carey Kinsolving and friends

          “God created dads so they could wrestle with their daughters or their sons or wife,” says Kaitlin, 8.

    You’ve got to be tough to live in Kaitlin’s house. Yes, God created dads to wrestle, but also “to hug on,” says Taylor, 7.

    “Sometimes dads like to show off, but the rest of the time, they’re playful,” says Kristen, 8. “They’re all big kids, and they always will be. Most of the time, they just want to be loved. You can tell they love you.”

    Kristen, I’m glad your dad knows how to have fun, but you can bet he’s more mature than you think.

    Dads are a pushover, says Elizabeth, 9: “I think God created dads so they can fall for your little face. Also, they can buy you anything you want when you say ‘please daddy.’ They always fall for that!” Lauren, 10, adds: “God created dads to tell you ‘yes’ when your mom says ‘no.’”

    Well, a daughter’s plea and face can be irresistible, but a father who loves his daughter will say “no” sometimes.

    If it wasn’t for dads, most moms would never go camping and fishing, says Adrienne, 10: “Moms wouldn’t dare go without electricity, bait a hook or touch a dead fish.”

    Actually, “God made daddies so that they can help mommies,” says Manasi, 7. “When mommies have babies, dad can help name them.”

    Actually, the Bible says woman was created to be a help to the man. But, of course, in the life of a family, there are many times when dads help moms.

    The Bible also says, the dad is supposed to provide for his family. Kayla, 12, agrees: “Without dad who would support the family? Who would go to work, cut the grass and do all the hard work?”

    And when there are problems, “Dad will help you up when you fall. If you are bleeding, he will take care of it,” says Esther, 8.

    Whether you fall on the playground or in life, a good dad is always there to pick you up, bandage the wounds and send you on your way.

    “God created dads to help people build things for God and to have faith in God,” says Alex, 8. The greatest thing a dad can build is not a house, stock portfolio or businesss empire, but a relationship with God in the lives of his children.

    “God made daddies so they could be brave, grateful and like Jesus,” says Alaura, 7.

    Jesus had to be brave when he obeyed his Father and allowed the soldiers to arrest him in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). A few minutes later Jesus displayed courage by telling the soldiers, “If you seek me, let these go their way” (John 18:8). Throughout his life, Jesus gave thanks to his Father.

    There are times when every dad has to make tough decisions. A dad who is grateful to God will find the courage to make the right ones.

    Even dogs like godly dads, says Rebecca, 9: “Dad works so hard every day for my family, and he loves us all. He even loves my dog. And believe me, my dog loves him, too! We all love him, and he loves us and believes in Jesus.”

    Point to ponder: Bless your father as your heavenly Father has blessed you.

    Scripture to remember: “The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who be-gets a wise child will delight in him” (Proverbs 23:24).

    Question to consider: Is your father rejoicing and delighting in you?

    “Kids Talk About God” is written and distributed by Carey Kinsolving. To access free, online “Kids Color Me Bible” books, “Mission Explorers” videos, a new children’s musical, and all columns in a Bible Lesson Arc-hive, visit www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. To read journey-of-faith feature stories written by Carey Kinsolving, visit www.FaithProfiles.org.

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    Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

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He has grown his flock from the 25 or so students who showed up at his first services to more than 200 each Sunday. Sometimes, it’s standing room only. “We’ve been trying to figure out what to do next because on Easter Sunday we had 342 people, and some were standing in the back,” he said. Word In Black talked to Lockett about the secrets of his success: how his adjustment of Sunday ser-vices got people into the pews, why his philosophy for guiding students on their spiritual journey centers on independent thought, and how his “Spin the Block” initiative is shaking things up on campus. The in-terview has been edited for length and clarity. Word in Black: The first thing we want to know is, how do you get so many young people to chapel every Sunday?. Lawrence Lockett: Well, first of all, I changed the time of service from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. I realized a lot of the students like to sleep in late. It gives them time to do whatever they need to do. I’m sure many of them still like to party hearty over the weekend. So they have a good chance just to kind of refocus, recali-brate, get themselves lunch, and then come over to the chapel for service. When I started in November, maybe 20-25 students came, but now it’s over 200 that come every Sun-day, and it’s pretty cool. So now we’re repositioning ourselves to go after the freshman class this year. If we have the same success as last year, there’s definitely not going to be any room. Word in Black: Tell me about pastoring on a college campus. Lawrence Lockett: Morgan actually started as a biblical institute, so the Christian traditions have al-ways been here. As a pastor or shepherd, I’m walking students through their questions, not always just trying to preach answers to them. It’s about being vulnerable. I tell them I was in their same position, just trying to figure it out. And it’s not me just trying to give them answers. Having been there helps me really walk with them and anchor them in the storm of life that’s going to come. I want them to understand that their soul really matters. A lot of students focus on mental health, but they really need to focus on spiritual health as well. It should be one and the same. So I’ve been trying to preach that, if anything, spiritual health is just as important as your mental health. But we do encour-age the use of the counseling center, for sure, if there is a mental health crisis. WIB: What does Monday through Friday look like for you? LL: Mondays, we are usually off because of Sundays. On Tuesdays, we have Bible studies, so I’ll host a Bible study at noon along with my colleagues that work in the chapel. And then, I’m teaching a class called Hip-hop and the Gospel on Tuesdays at 2:30 p.m., dealing with mixing culture and religion. 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