Comments on Bahá’í Thought: Everlasting Father

Happy Ridvan, Phillipe!I think about this sometime...

2008-04-21T18:30:00.000-03:00

Happy Ridvan, Phillipe!

I think about this sometimes too and so does my husband. At the age my eldest is now (seven) my husband's father was already gone from his life and only one of his friends growing up had a father present. So when he's trying to figure out what being a father to an older boy looks like, he's increasing turning to the stories of when Abdu'l-Baha was a child. I totally wonder how did Baha'u'llah deal with the day to day, with his kids being, well, kids? Sibling rivalry, growing pains, puberty -- all of that.

Judith, thanks for your predictable candor, keep i...

2008-04-21T14:00:00.000-03:00

Judith, thanks for your predictable candor, keep it up lady.

Gerald, gracious God, this pile of dust would never compare himself to the Everlasting Father! Learning from His life experiences with fathering especially given the drama regarding his own family will give me much to think about.

Allah-u-abha and Happy Ridvan Phillippe!I can't se...

2008-04-21T13:29:00.000-03:00

Allah-u-abha and Happy Ridvan Phillippe!

I can't see you doing anything be passing those tests. You seem to understand the spiritual gift and responsibility of fatherhood.

I would warn you against comparing yourself as a father with Baha'u'llah. You will always fail. His children and Him went through circumstances that few families have had to overcome. I am not talking worldly circumstances, but their relationships to each other. They had intense loyalty, and some of them had intense bitterness.

Ask for Him to guide you, and keep His biographies close at hand. Muslims have the concept of Sunnah, always looking to Muhammad's example. Do this as a father, examine how He dealt with His family, and success is guaranteed.

My prayers for you and your coming child and guaranteed this Ridvan.

God Bless,
Gerald

Happy Ridvan, Phillipe and all readers of this blo...

2008-04-21T11:08:00.000-03:00

Happy Ridvan, Phillipe and all readers of this blog.

Phillipe, I am so happy for you that you are pondering these things now, before the rush of parenting an infant takes over.
I rejoice in your recognition of your privileged postition, and the responsibility before God such privelege entails.
It gives me joy to see you feel and articulate that without always keeping in mind and heart, and working to help, those who have not been the recipient of such circumstances/privileges, you yourself, cannot enjoy to the utmost what you and your wife will be able to offer your own child or children.

To be perhaps too frank, I know and have known all too many people who are focused on the material aspects of their children's education to the exclusion of the moral side, especially when it comes to compassion and genuine love. It's my belief that while such an upbringing, even an upbringing within this glorious Cause, may bring forth a person with all the acoutriments (sp?)of power and success, it does not in the long run foster true happiness and development for that child, nor bring forth one who will be enabled to embody the attribute of real love for humanity, so necessary for individual and collective transformation.

Finally--it's the parents who don't worry a little about the tests of this most sacred responsibility that I have concern for, not the ones who do.
I know that Baha'u'llah will assist you in your sacred task, that you will experience dilerious joy as well as difficulty, and grow so much yourself in dedicating yourself to fatherhood.

I once heard Hand of the Cause Mr. Furitan say that every child, no matter the circumstances in which he or she enter this world, is a gift from God to those parents. Recognition of this at all times should govern our relationship with and responsibilities toward that soul.
Warmest greetings,
Judith W