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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: Father (as in paternal parent, not God) (04/10/08)
Welcome to the Father Store! How can we help you today?

Well, my wife just had a baby boy. I want to be a good father, so I’m here.

Excellent strategy, sir - and may I say, congratulations.

Thank you. You know, I can’t help but notice you don’t have many products on your shelves.

That’s right, sir. That’s because you only need one thing.

How can that be? To be a good father, I’ll need lots of things. He’s so small and I feel so helpless. How will I know what to do when he’s sick? How will I know how to give him advice?

I understand, sir. May I recommend our Deluxe Package?

Well, what does it include?

It includes a detailed blueprint with instructions for changing diapers. There is a booklet of coupons for baby products, and we also carry a special remote control for your TV.

Hey, I like remote controls!

Most dads do. This one automatically programs and controls a TV in your son’s room to play child-friendly videos, while still you’re still able to enjoy your sports or adventure programs in the living room.

That does sounds wonderful.

That’s not all. The kit also contains earplugs – so you can sleep when it’s not your turn to get up at night. It has a full-length plastic parka for when you feed him. It has a movie camera so you can take movies of all his cutest moments.

Wow, that will be great. Why do you have different color packages?

The green ones are for fathers of babies and the brown ones are for fathers of teens.

What’s in those?

Those have a teen-to-adult dictionary, a pictorial guide to what the latest illegal drugs look like, and tranquilizers for when you have to teach your child to drive.

I’ll just take the green one for now. After all, what more could I want?

Believe me, sir, you want more.

I do?

Yes, sir. You do. Our packages have many things – but the most important thing is the Complete Instruction Book.

Wow, who wrote that? Cosby?

No, sir. The book has many writers. I wrote the chapter on fatherly wisdom, although I must admit my words were inspired.

Look, buddy, I don’t even know who you are. How do you rate as an expert in fatherhood?

My name is Solomon King and I did have quite a few kids of my own. And, I must say, my chapter is a proverbial best seller.

OK, … I know fathers need lots of wisdom. What does your book say about that?

It says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.”

The fear of the Lord? Sounds too easy to be true, but I’m willing to try it. But, like you said, it’s only the beginning. How will I know if I’m doing everything right?

If you “train up a child in the way he should go, when he is old he will not turn from it.”

So, I just have to steer him in the right direction and he’ll end up OK? Still sounds too simple. What if he does something wrong? What does your book say about that?

It says you shouldn’t withhold discipline from your child.

Got it. But, what about finances? Having a baby is expensive, and he’ll need so many things when he grows older.

God will bless you with what you need. After all, “The blessing of the Lord brings wealth.” .

Oh, come on. I know lots of religious people who are poor.

“Better a poor man whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse.”

So, you’re saying that following God is all that matters?

Well, there’s more to it, but you’ll have to …

Read the book, right?

Yes. Read the book. I think you’ll find it has all the answers you’ll need. By the way, we find a new child can impact a marriage. I’ve also written a songbook that can enhance your love life. And keep in mind; my chapters are just one part of the Complete Instruction Book.

One thing at a time, OK? Let me check this stuff out and get back to you.

Thanks for your purchase, sir. And may God bless you. Remember: “the memory of a righteous man will be a blessing.” So, if you follow God you’ll create blessed memories with your son.

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All quoted verses come from the NIV, and are found in Proverbs: verses 1:7, 23:13, 10:22, 19:1, and10:7
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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This article has been read 918 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Sara Harricharan
04/17/08
Oh LOL! This is funny, I giggled at the end and had to smile when I could breathe again. I loved the witty dialouge here and especially using Solomon as the 'sales clerk'. That was just too funny-as was the details on the different packages. You did well with just using dialouge to devlop this, I could see everything playing out exactly as you wrote it. Very nicely done! This is one of my favorites for this week! ^_^
Holly Westefeld
04/18/08
I loved your creative approach. You used a humorous style, but wove in essential truths about being a father.
Your title grabbed me, too, though I surmised it would be someone shopping for a father, but I was in no way disappointed in my mistaken guess.
Lisa Holloway
04/18/08
Very witty! Well done.