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Making Lasting Memories
from June 2021
Gò0dNews for Fathers
Making Lasting Memories
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by Dr. Alan Hix
This month we celebrate Father’s Day. My own father went to be with the Lord many years ago, so, for me, Father’s Day is a time of remembering. One of my favorite family pictures was taken when I was about 15. In it, me, my father, and my grandfather are caught in a relaxing pose. The feeling that comes through in this picture is one of simply being content to be in each other’s company. It was a “small moment” as moments go, but it is one that is still etched in my memory 45 years later.
When we think about the impacts our fathers had on us, we tend to gravitate toward the “big” moments in life—those times when we are conscious of “making memories.” Our adult daughter still fondly remembers that when she was five, we took her to a special breakfast with Cinderella at her castle at Disney World. Another “big” moment happened in her teen years. In the middle of an archaeological dig in Israel, I flew back home just for the weekend to attend her high school graduation. That was a “big” moment.
We consciously think about the big moments, but what about the little ones? In 2 Kings 14:3-4, we find a description of Amaziah, one of the kings of Judah.
“And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not like David his father. He did in all things as Joash his father had done. But the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and made offerings on the high places” (ESV).
We find a similar description of other kings of Judah as well. What we can see is that they got the “big” things right—the national religion. However, they didn’t take care of the smaller things—local religion. As a result, the hearts of the people were not turned toward God. God finally sent his people into exile due to their continued disobedience. The “small” things had been overlooked.
James Boswell, was the biographer of Samuel Johnson, a famous English poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, and literary critic. Boswell frequently mentioned a special childhood memory of a day fishing with his father. Apparently, Boswell’s life had been deeply etched for the better on this single day, for he constantly referred to the many matters his father had talked to him about on
that one occasion. Many years later, the following entry was found in his father’s journal. These are the words penned by Boswell’s dad: “Gone fishing today with my son; a day wasted.”
What was a “small” moment for Boswell’s father, was a pivotal moment in the life of his son. I sometimes wonder if either my father or grandfather ever realized what that one “small” moment meant to me. Fathers (and grandfathers), be sensitive to the opportunity you have to impact your children’s lives even in those “small” moments!
About The Author Dr. Alan Hix is an Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Shorter University. In addition to being and educator, he has served churches as a pastor, been involved in mission trips to Africa, Canada, and Alaska, and participated in archaeological excavations in Israel for several years.
