I love the story
Gordon MacDonald tells.

Among the legends
is the tale of a medieval sidewalk superintendent who asked three stone masons
on a construction project what they were doing. The first replied that he was
laying bricks. The second described his work as that of building a wall. But
it was the third laborer who demonstrated genuine esteem for his work when he
said, “I am raising a great cathedral.”

Pose that same
question to any two fathers concerning their role in the family, and you are
liable to get the same kind of contrast. The first may say, “I am supporting
a family.” But the second may see things differently and say, “I am
raising children.” The former looks at his job at putting bread on the
table. But the latter sees things in God’s perspective: he is participating
in the shaping of lives.

________________________

From The Effective
Father


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The other day I
was in Paul Harvey’s studio in Chicago as he was making his broadcast. Paul
said, “It’s time for me to go on the air; but why don’t you join me in
the studio? It’s live, you know.” I went in the studio. He closed the door.
The red light was blinking, He cleared his throat. “Good morning, Americans,
this is Paul Harvey speaking.” And away he went. He said, “I happen
to know somebody, a minister, who, I’m told, chose to fail in order that he
could choose to succeed. Is that right, Robert Schuller?”

I said, “Right,
Paul Harvey. I chose to fail at golf, because I wanted to succeed as a father.
Yes, I traded-off my hobby of playing golf in favor of my desire to be a successful
dad.” At that time, maybe you have to trade-off power for peace, dollars
for joy, and glory for the greater joy of seeing other people grow.

___________________________________

Robert Schuller,
Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do!


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Gospel musician Hilding Halverson told of overhearing a conversation between his son and two other little boys. The youngsters were bragging about their dads. One boy said proudly, “My dad knows the mayor of our town!” Another said, “So, my dad knows the governor of our state!” Halverson’s son then came up with this touching comment, “That’s nothing – my dad knows God!” Upon hearing this, Halverson quickly slipped away to his room and with tears in his eyes said, “O God, I pray that my boy will always be able to say, ‘My dad knows God.'” He knew he had been paid the supreme tribute.


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