Greetings!
"I'm just so excited, Fred! It's like a dream come true.
Do you think I'll be a good daddy, Fred?"
~ Barney Rubble
I love being a dad! That's radical for a guy who never wanted kids and avoided the subject whenever it came up. My own father died a year before Melissa and I tied the knot, and five years before our first child was born. This unfortunate order of events still makes me feel sad, knowing my dad would have savoured time playing, laughing, and snuggling with these little ones who delight and challenge us. What I wouldn't give for a few more moments with him!
Dads are hugely important, in spite of being undermined by feminism for a lot of years. Taking nothing away from the beautiful indispensability of motherhood, I am more convinced than ever that fathers are the key to the emotional and spiritual health of the family. Homes that lack a present and active father can still function, but they don't tend to reach their full potential without him.
Here's something many of us don't hear about in our sex-saturated society: healthy male and female sexuality are linked to the relationship between a child and his/her father. A daughter needs a solid relationship with a loving and invested father in order to resist our culture's pressure to form premature relationships with men (who are more than willing to fill the void). And, a son needs a salient and strong father who models healthy masculinity -- something mother wasn't designed to do. Even more significant is the high correlation between critical, emotionally-distant or physically absent dads and men who later struggle with same gender attraction. So, fathers can be pivotal influences on whether the next generation engages in high risk social or sexual acting-out, or takes a healthier path.
It's good for us to celebrate the high responsibility and privilege of fatherhood, since there's a lot riding on his shoulders. Fathers need more than neckties -- they need our ongoing respect, affirmation, and appreciation. If you are the wife of a father, what a wonderful season to appreciate your husband, and to encourage him to honour God by putting his marriage and family first. As a son or daughter, what a great time to communicate honour and respect for your dad. More than anything, and now more than ever, fathers need our prayers.
It's not easy being a dad. Take a moment this week to encourage a married or single father. If you have a chance, give him a big hug!
Robert
The next phase of