"And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4 NKJB).

"Who was using my fishing pole?" he asked.

"I was, Dad," said his five-year-old son. "I was playing with it, and forgot to put it away."

The pastor wasn't pleased but said to his son, "Well, thank you for telling me," and said no more about it.

Two days later, while shopping with his mother, the boy said, "Mom, I got to buy Dad a new fishing pole. I broke his other one. Here's my money," and he handed her his total life's saving -- two dollars.

"You don't have to do that," said his mother.

"But I want to, Mom," the boy said. "I found out that Dad loves me more than his fishing pole."

Later, the pastor told his congregation about the incident. "When I heard what my son said, I felt great. I felt that for once I had done something right."

After the service, several men told their pastor that they appreciated what he had said about doing something right for once. They had the idea that pastors always did everything right.

This is a good lesson for other leaders, also. We don't always have to appear to be, "on top of it." We need to admit that we struggle, sometimes; we need to reveal some of our own faults and failures. When leaders are open and honest about their own lives, others will be helped and encouraged by what they say.

-- (The Bible Friend, June 1999).

1. He makes himself responsible for his children's behavior.
2. He is never blinded by love from recognizing and correcting his child's weakness.
3. He makes his child feel secure.
4. He shares in his child's activities.
5. He has his child's complete confidence.
6. He always is available to help solve youthful problems.
7. He doesn't demand filial devotion -- he wins it.
8. He recognizes and accepts as his the child's mental and spiritual development .
9. He contributes to making the home the child's haven.
10. He strives to be honest with his children.

"May I not vainly hurt the feelings of my children. Forbid that I should laugh at their mistakes, or resort to shame and ridicule as punishment. Let me not tempt a child to lie and steal. So guide me hour by hour that I may demonstrate by all I say and do that honesty produces happiness.

"Make me so fair and just, so considerate and companionable to my children that they will have genuine esteem for me. Fit me to be loved and imitated by my children. Oh God, do give me calm and poise and self-control."

-- Anon.