FATHERING LEADERSHIP
Develop a Healthier Personal Behavior PatternDAY 2 | TEN DAYS
At School | Tommy at the Airport
PURPOSE OF THIS 10 DAY COURSE:
- LEARN profound lessons through daily stories & reflection
- Gain MOTIVATION to change behavior through understanding
- TRACK your progress | ACCOUNT for what you’ve done
- RECORD your thoughts & impressions
- REPEAT good behavior until healthy habits are formed
WHAT TO DO:
MORNING DEVOTIONAL: AT SCHOOL
- Pray | To Heavenly Father
- Sing/Listen to Hymn
- More Holiness Give Me
- LDS Hymn #131
- Read Scripture | Matthew 3:10-12
- Serve | How can I serve today?
- Read Story | At School
- Ponder | Answer
EVENING DEVOTIONAL: TOMMY AT THE AIRPORT
- Read Story | Tommy at the Airport
- Journal | Write in your Journal
- Read Scripture | Matthew 3:13-15
- Sing/Listen to Hymn
- God is Love
- LDS Hymn #87
- Pray | To Heavenly Father
- Dad’s Prayer
- Ponder | Answer
MORNING DEVOTIONAL | AT SCHOOL
PRAY | TO HEAVENLY FATHER
“Dear Heavenly Father,
I thank thee… [use your own words]
I ask thee… [use your own words]
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
READ | SCRIPTURE
NEW TESTAMENT | MATTHEW 3:10-12
CHAPTER 3
10. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
11. I [John the Baptist] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
12. Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
NOTE
It matters how we live our life!
SERVE | HOW CAN I SERVE TODAY?
READ STORY | AT SCHOOL
Harry quickly turned from staring out the classroom window when he heard Miss Brown call his name. It was painfully obvious from the laughter in the classroom that Miss Brown had been trying to get his attention for some time. Looking up, he could see her frowning down at him with that What am I going to do with you? look on her face.
Miss Brown looked about the room and the class immediately quieted. Then, with a slight smile, she asked if Harry would like to be her reader for today’s story.
He loved reading. Enthusiastically, Harry responded, “Yes, I would, Miss Brown.”
Miss Brown is the greatest, thought Harry as his embarrassment turned to excitement!
“Today’s reading is a revised story originally written by Thomas Day in a book called The History of Sandford and Merton,” said Miss Brown. Mr. Day was born in London, England in 1748. I hope you like it.” She nodded to Harry, “You may begin.”
Harry turned to the first page and began to read:
“There once was a certain rich man . . .
RICH MAN | POOR MAN
There once was a certain rich man who saw a poor man singing as he worked. The rich man envied the poor man’s happiness. His envy turned to anger and in anger the rich man burned the rushes that the poor man used for weaving baskets. Without baskets, the poor man would not be able to sell them in the marketplace to provide for his modest needs. And not only were the rushes burned but his small house also caught fire and was destroyed.
The law took the rich man, found him guilty of community destruction, and as punishment banished him to a distant island for two years. Also, with the poor man’s approval, the wise Judge requested the poor man accompany the rich man so they might learn to live in harmony with each other. Now the poor man was always eager for a new adventure and since he was left with nothing to make a living on, he willing accepted the Judges’ request.
They soon arrived on the island and for the first time in his life the rich man had no servant to wait upon him, no one to prepare his meal, and no one to carry out his demands. The rich man, who had been accustomed to every convenience, did nothing but sit on the beach and curse the Judge who had been so unfair.
That night he trembled with fear and went without food all of the next day until he nearly gave in to total despair. By the end of the first day he realized that he would be eating well if only he had the leftovers he once threw away after each of his lavish meals back home.
The poor man, on the other hand, was well adapted to such hardships since from childhood he was forced to provide for his own needs. He immediately began to make use of what the island offered and quickly constructed a sturdy shelter to protect himself from the frequent rains. Then he set out to satisfy his hunger by gathering an ample variety of wild plants which he knew to be edible. And well before dark he also provided himself with eating utensils by cutting and polishing a familiar species of hard drift wood from the beach. Soon, he was quite comfortable and satisfied with his labors.
On the second day, he began to investigate his new surroundings and it wasn’t long before he met a small group of native islanders. They admired his style of woven hats and baskets, so much so, that he began to spend most of his time weaving. In exchange, he was provided with every possible comfort by his new neighbors.
The rich man, as you can imagine, became increasingly desperate and finally begged the poor man for help. The poor man agreed to share his food with him if the rich man would gather the rushes he needed for weaving. The rich man happily agreed.
While the rich man gathered rushes, the poor man taught the island children about other people from around the world. Before long, the poor man’s original shelter was replaced with a larger and more comfortable one by grateful parents and the rich man joyfully moved into the poor man’s small shelter. In this way, the rich man began to serve the poor man and thus the two years of exile passed.
At the end of two years, the day finally came to return home. The poor man was greatly loved by the islanders and they all came to bid him farewell. They sorrowfully waved their woven hats back and forth as the departing boat moved slowly away from shore. The rich man watched quietly.
Immediately upon their arrival, the wise Judge called the rich man and the poor man before him. He asked the rich man if he had learned to love his neighbor? — for if not, he feared he would again be a danger to the community.
“From my childhood,” said the rich man, “I only knew great wealth, and yet, I was poor because of it. I never gave any thought to the kind of learning that might help me become self-reliant and never cared to live providently. But now that I have known want, I am richer because of it. I realize that my self-indulgence and greed was the cause of my own unhappiness.”
“Now that I have been restored to my inheritance,” continued the rich man, “I wish to divide half my wealth and property with the man who once bore the consequences of my envy.”
Thus, were they reconciled, rich and poor, to a new life — both richer than before.
(Adapted from “The History of Sandford and Merton”; “The Gentleman and the Basket-maker”, pages 22 to 27.)
Harry finished the story just as the ending school bell rang. He returned the book to Miss Brown, said, “Thank you,” and hurried for the door.
But Miss Brown called out, “Wait a minute, Harry! Your father called the school and asked us to tell you not to ride the bus home today. He’ll pick you up at the front gate. Do you understand? Don’t take the bus home; you’ll be picked up at the front gate.”
“Yes, I understand,” said Harry and again rushed for the door.
Miss Brown called, “Harry, thank you for reading today. You did a fine job.”
Harry smiled broadly and rushed for the door.
When Harry got outside, he watched his classmates board their buses, pile into cars with smiling parents, or walk toward their nearby homes.
He put his backpack down by the school gate and looked up and down the road for his father’s car. When he glanced back at his pack lying on the grass, he noticed dozens of ants beginning to climb up its dark green sides. He quickly grabbed the pack and shook off the ants.
“I must have put my pack near an ant hill,” thought Harry and he began looking for its entrance.
Before he could locate the entrance to the ant hill, Harry heard a car horn. He turned to see his father waiting for him. He scrambled for the car, checked once more for any ants, and jumped into the front seat by his dad.
“How was school today?” asked his father.
“Great! Miss Brown chose me to be reader today. She’s nice.”
“Good for you. Tell me about what you read.”
Harry began to tell his father all about the poor man’s adventure.
After Harry finished re-telling the story about the rich man’s change of heart, he realized they weren’t driving home.
“Where are we going?” asked Harry.
“We’re picking up your cousin, Tommy, from the airport. His parents are having some problems and they’ve asked if he could live with us for a few days. I’m wondering how we can help him feel at home with us. Do you have any ideas?”
Harry was silent for quite a while and then said, “He can sleep in my room and I’ll sleep on the couch in the living room.”
RESOURCES
PONDER | ANSWER
The rich man envied the poor man.
Envy is wanting what someone else has, usually with unkind feelings towards them. Envious thoughts might include: ‘I deserve it more than they do.’ or ‘I bet they think they are better than me.’ or ‘I’ll show them I’m better than they are.’
The opposite of envy is admiration. When you admire someone you appreciate and respect them for what they have obtained. Admiration might include a desire to emulate the person you admire.
Persistent thoughts lead to behavior and persistent behavior defines our character. “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…”(see Proverbs 23:7).
QUESTIONS TO PONDER
- What do people often envy?
- Why is admiration a kinder way of thinking?
- How can sharing help someone overcome envy?
EVENING DEVOTIONAL | TOMMY AT THE AIRPORT
READ STORY | TOMMY AT THE AIRPORT
That evening, while his father and Harry were cleaning-up after dinner, Harry began to tell his father about his encounter with the rattlesnake.
Harry’s father listened quietly.
“Sit down, Harry,” said his father. “I’d like to tell you something.”
Harry sat down on the long bench next to the kitchen table.
“I love you Harry. You know that, don’t you?”
“Sure, Dad. I know.”
“Let’s review our rules, his father began. “You must always tell me where you’re going, never go too far unless someone is with you, and remember to use your head or your whole body will suffer.”
Harry nodded.
His father continued, “You know the foothills have many rattlers in them, especially at this time of the year. Generally, if you don’t disturb them, they won’t disturb you. And it’s helpful to know that they always rattle before they strike. . . they always rattle. . . unless, of course, they strike first.”
Harry smiled so his dad would know he got the joke. “Ok, Dad. I’ll be careful.”
“Thanks, Harry,” said his father. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I know, Dad,” said Harry.
“Your experience with the snake reminds me of a dream I had many years ago. I wrote it down in my journal. Would you like to hear about it?”
“Sure,” responded Harry.
Harry’s father retrieved his journal from the desk in his bedroom, joined Harry on the couch, and began to read.
DIFFERENT VIEWS
Randy Raccoon wasn’t trying to upset Beverly Beaver. They had become instant friends when they first met in the Spring. And now, as the Autumn leaves began turning brilliant red and gold, Randy felt a new urgency to have Beverly understand.
“We can’t control our world,” said Randy. “It’s too big, too powerful.”
“I disagree,” said Beverly. “We can build the kind of world we want to live in.”
Now this wasn’t their first disagreement and in many ways Randy enjoyed Beverly’s different views. He yearned to explore, to investigate, and to sample everything. He couldn’t understand why Beverly saw things so differently, why she was so set in her thinking.
“No way,” said Randy. “Why should we waste our time trying to change the world? We can’t make any real difference.”
Beverly agreed that trying to control the forces in life wasn’t easy and that there would be set-backs.
“Instead of trying to control our world we must learn to live with it,” continued Randy. “We’ve got to learn new ways of doing things and be ready to move on or out of the way when we have to. We must out-smart life and be more clever than our challenges. Don’t you see,” asked Randy? “We can’t change the way things are?”
“I don’t agree,” said Beverly. “We can work hard and make our world what we want it to be.”
Suddenly, Mother Beaver slapped her tail and Beverly knew she had been talking much too long. She said good-bye and hurried off. Randy was sorry she couldn’t stay.
Before leaving though, Randy washed his hands one more time in the ever deepening pond. As he dipped his hands into the cool water, Randy noticed the reflection of an eagle silently gliding overhead. Looking up, he said to himself, I wonder what the eagle would say?
“I liked the story, Dad,” said Harry.
“I don’t get it,” said Tommy.
Harry’s father smiled, set the book back on the shelf, and turned to Tommy. “Well, that’s okay. I think what it’s trying to tell us is how good people can see things differently. And that it’s okay.”
Tommy nodded.
“Tommy,” continued Harry’s father, “in our home we also read from the Bible and then say an evening prayer together. Do you mind joining us?”
“That’s fine.” said Tommy. “I often say prayers with Miss Guardiola.”
Harry quickly and smoothly read that evening’s scripture.
Harry’s father said a short prayer.
“Harry, remember to write in your journal before turning out the light. Good night, boys.”
“Good night,” chimed the boys in unison.
JOURNAL ENTRY | DAY 2
Record your activites, feelings, thoughts, and/or questions.
READ | SCRIPTURE
NEW TESTAMENT | MATTHEW 3:13-15
CHAPTER 3
14. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
15. And Jesus answering said unto him, suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
NOTE
Jesus, the Son of God, set the perfect example of obedience for us. We must keep His commandments and obey His laws as He obeyed His Father’s.
PRAY | TO HEAVENLY FATHER | DAD’S PRAYER:
“Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank thee for the blessings of this day.
We are grateful that Tommy could come to live with us.
Please bless his mom and dad.
Help each of us learn to make wise choices.
Please bless the sick people in the world and those that suffer.
Please help us live the way the scriptures teach us.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
PONDER | ANSWER
Variety is a part of life. Plants, animals, and landscapes vary widely. Variety, like a rainbow of color or a symphony of sound, can combine to enrich our life’s experience. Differences in size, color, and form add wonder to our lives.
Differences among people can lead to misunderstandings and contention. Jesus prayed to His father, “Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… that they may be made perfect in one”( John 17:11, 23).
JOHN 17:11, 23
11 And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the aworld, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be bone, as we are.
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made aperfectin one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast bloved them, as thou hast loved me.
QUESTIONS
- How does contention make your life more difficult?
- How can respect for others enriched your life?
- Commitment: I will show respect for others.
- Commitment Kept | Signature: _______________________
ADDITIONAL RESOURCE LINKS
TEMPLES
FATHERS