A father who:
answers our requests and questions,
provides watchcare over us,
helps us to overcome our challenges,
is patient with our incomplete understanding,
is willing to forgive,
responds with welcome when we turn to Him,
comforts us when we are sad,
has patience with and compassion for our weaknesses,
is ready and willing to help us,
encourages us and expresses appreciation for our imperfect efforts to do good,
is completely and compassionately honest and worthy of our trust,
gives wise guidance and parameters,
asks honest questions,
provides books that teach truth and offer thoughtful guidelines
That looks like a good list of characteristics and actions to carefully try to incorporate in my own parenting and grandparenting.
This is one of my very favorite photos of a listening parent. I love the look of careful attention in the adult's face.
I don't know who took it, but you can find it on this web page:
http://blog.themancompany.com/how-to-be-a-friend-to-your-kid/attachment/2219/
