When I was in my 20s and Christmas was getting closer, I would go to my Dad and ask, “What do you want for Christmas this year, Dad?” His reply was always the same, year after year …” I just want all my kids to be happy.” There were five of us kids, and he had seen all of us go through our share of heartache and troubles. Being a father of two myself, I now know what my Dad was saying. Nothing makes me happier than to see my kids happy. And, I suppose this holds true for all fathers who love their kids deeply.
Father’s didn’t get this “instinct” all on their own, though. The very first father (GOD) is the One who put this desire within us. In 3 John 1:4 God tells us through the apostle John, “I have NO GREATER JOY than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” A good father’s greatest joy is to know that his kids are happy. And, how do they get happy? The above verse gives the answer … By walking in the truth. So, Dads, if your kids come to you in the upcoming days and ask “What do you want for Christmas this year?” just tell them, “I just want all my kids to walk in the truth … nothing could make me happier!”
3 John 1:3-4
It gave me great joy when some believers came and testified about your faithfulness to the truth, telling how you continue to walk in it. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
