Practical Actions a Father Can Model to His Daughters or Sons

A father can model several practical actions that impart valuable life lessons to his children:

• Embracing Early Mornings and Personal Time: A father can model waking up before the chirping birds to joyfully greet the day and using this quiet period as “his special time with God”. This demonstrates the importance of starting the day with intention, prioritizing spiritual or personal reflection, and finding joy in the quiet hours. This reflects a disciplined approach, much like waiting longingly for Adonai, even “more than guards on watch wait for morning”.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). “In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3).

• Approaching Each Day with Energy and Enthusiasm: By being “bright eyed and bushy tailed” and energetically tackling the opportunities and challenges of each new day, a father sets a powerful example of resilience and a positive outlook.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

• Prioritizing Punctuality and Preparedness: Consistently arriving early for commitments, such as flights, teaches children the value of being well-prepared and respectful of time.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (Proverbs 21:5). “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity…” (Ephesians 5:15-16).

• Creating Space for Relaxation and Contemplation: A father can show the importance of taking “precious breathing space” and “much-needed respite” from a hectic world. This might involve sitting quietly and observing surroundings or engaging in personal reflection, which Daddy referred to as “contemplating his navel”. This models self-care and mental well-being.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

• Consistent Affection and Bonding: Daddy modeled gentle physical affection by coming to his child’s bedside at dawn, running his fingers through her hair, and petting her face, creating “treasured bonding time”. He also expressed love verbally, whispering “the day was beautiful, he loves me”.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God” (1 John 4:7). “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them” (Colossians 3:19 – principle applicable to familial love).

• Engaging in Playful Interaction: A father can acknowledge and participate in a child’s innocent games, such as pretending to be asleep, which fosters a “special Daddy-daughter time” and acknowledges the child’s world.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

• Teaching Mental Resilience: Daddy offered a practical strategy to cope with physical discomfort, suggesting to “trick your mind into feeling warmer” by imagining a hot beach when cold. This teaches children to proactively manage their internal experiences.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true… think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

• Establishing Peaceful Bedtime Rituals: By saying “sleep loose” to remind his child to relax and teaching a nightly prayer and a body-relaxation technique, Daddy modeled how to prepare for restful sleep and find peace at the end of the day.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

• Teaching Divine Protection: A father can teach his children to watch for “Adonai’s angels who would come to keep guard” over them during the night, fostering a sense of profound safety and wonder.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). “Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).

Practical Actions in a Man,  a Woman Can Look for in a Future Husband

When seeking a future husband, a woman can look for practical actions that indicate a man of character, discipline, and tenderness:

• A Disciplined and Joyful Start to the Day: A man who wakes up before dawn to joyfully greet the day and uses this early morning time for personal reflection or “special time with God” could indicate a grounded and intentional individual. This demonstrates someone who values starting the day with purpose, much like the commitment to waiting longingly for Adonai, even “more than guards on watch wait for morning”.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

• An Energetic and Proactive Approach to Life: Observing if a man is “bright eyed and bushy tailed” and energetically tackles the opportunities and challenges of each new day could suggest a positive, resilient, and proactive partner.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Lazy hands make for poverty, but diligent hands bring wealth” (Proverbs 10:4).

• Punctuality and Preparedness: A man who makes an effort to be early for commitments, such as flights, demonstrates respect for time and a habit of being well-prepared.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Let everything be done in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

• The Ability to Find Personal Respite and Practice Self-Care: Look for a man who knows how to create “precious breathing space” and “much-needed respite” from a busy world, perhaps by taking time to sit quietly, observe his surroundings, or engage in contemplation (“contemplating his navel”). This shows an understanding of the importance of mental well-being and the ability to de-stress.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul” (Psalm 23:1-3).

• Tenderness and Consistent Affection: A man who initiates gentle, loving touches and expresses affection verbally indicates a caring and deeply loving nature, as seen in Daddy’s morning caresses and whispered words of love.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

• Valuing Unique Bonding Moments: A man who participates in shared “games” or unique interactions, like acknowledging a child pretending to sleep, shows an appreciation for special, unscripted bonding moments.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:18 – principle applicable to cherishing a partner).

• Offering Comfort and Practical Coping Mechanisms: A partner who empathizes with difficulties and offers practical, imaginative solutions for coping, like Daddy’s “mind trick” for cold weather, demonstrates both care and resourcefulness.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

• Promoting Peace and Security: A man who establishes peaceful bedtime rituals, such as using calming phrases (“sleep loose”), teaching prayers, or relaxation techniques, and speaks of divine protection, suggests someone who values creating a sense of peace and security within the home.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

Perspective of Adonai in Challenges, Establishing a Relationship, and Practical Changes to Hope For

If you are going through the challenges of life, Chapter 1 offers profound insights into Adonai and how to connect with Him:

• Perspective of Adonai Needed in Challenges: From Daddy’s example, Adonai (referred to as “God” and “Adonai”) should be seen as a source of personal joy and strength at the very start of your day. Daddy’s “special time with God” was prioritized before he would “burst forth and energetically tackle the opportunities and challenges of each new day”. This suggests a perspective where Adonai is the foundational support, an “almighty, incredible, amazing Adonai”, and a wellspring of renewal that empowers one to face life’s difficulties with energy and a positive outlook. Even in waiting, “I wait longingly for Adonai; I put my hope in his word. Everything in me waits for Adonai more than guards on watch wait for morning, more than guards on watch wait for morning”.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:31). “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

• How to Establish a Relationship with Adonai: Chapter 1 suggests establishing a relationship with Adonai through dedicated, personal, and early morning time. Daddy “would wake up before the chirping birds to joyfully greet the day” and specifically devoted this quiet period as “his special time with God”. This indicates that prioritizing a private, intentional connection with Adonai at the beginning of each day, before other demands arise, is a key way to foster this relationship. This deep connection continues even when Daddy is gone, as reflected in the practice of reading “His Word” (the Bible) with “great excitement”. This creates a sense of hearing “Adonai speaking gently” and feeling “him petting me, a familiar, comforting touch,” and “His words are filling me up with His love”. The very act of waiting longingly for Adonai and putting hope in His word is foundational to this relationship.

    ◦ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13). “Come near to God and he will come near to you” (James 4:8). “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

• Practical Changes in Your Life You Can Hope For: By establishing this connection and perspective, you can hope for several practical changes in your life:

    ◦ A Joyful and Energetic Start to Your Day: Just as Daddy “joyfully greet[ed] the day” and was “bright eyed and bushy tailed”, you can hope to approach each morning with greater enthusiasm and a positive attitude, regardless of the challenges ahead.

        ▪ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23). “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10).

    ◦ Empowerment to Tackle Challenges: You can anticipate a renewed ability to “energetically tackle the opportunities and challenges of each new day,” finding a deeper reservoir of resilience and drive.

        ▪ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

    ◦ The Capacity for Respite and Self-Care: Daddy’s practice of finding “precious breathing space and a much-needed respite from his otherwise hectic and busy business world” by “contemplating his navel” suggests that a disciplined approach to life, potentially stemming from that foundational “special time with God,” can lead to the ability to intentionally create moments of relaxation and mental well-being even amidst a busy schedule.

        ▪ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

    ◦ Divine Comfort and Love: You can hope to feel filled with Adonai’s love and comfort, experiencing a “familiar, comforting touch” and a “loving embrace,” much like the cherished moments with Daddy. This divine connection can become so essential that you “cannot fall asleep without his scriptures”.

        ▪ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). “For I am convinced that neither death nor life… will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).

    ◦ Profound Safety and Protection: Through Adonai, you can experience a “sense of wonder mixed with profound safety”, believing in angels who “keep guard over me during the night” and feeling secure in their covering. This is an enduring connection, as “our almighty, incredible, amazing Adonai is there for me”.

        ▪ Scriptural Resonance (outside sources): “He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart” (Psalm 91:4). “The Lord will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7).