Why fathers are a BIG DEAL!

Its June 17th 2012, Father’s day. A good part of this day has been spent trying to make THE DAY special for my dad(as best as me and my siblings could).

I have spent the last thirty minutes reflecting on the significance of a day that salutes the role of the ‘father figure’. And I concluded that although I may not know much about what it takes to be a father or fatherhood, I can definitely bare testimony of what good it has done me to have my father playing an active role in my life. And it is important to note that a father figure need not be a child’s biological father, it could be an adoptive father, stepdad, or an adult male in the household. As long as you have played that knowing, guiding, loving and supportive role in helping a child utilize their talents and achieve their goals, this day recognizes the significant role you play.I could go on for days about the awesome things that fathers (and particularly my own) do for their children but that’s not the angle that I want to go with today. At the end of the day, I hope that celebrating this day encourages us all, to do more to nurture the relationship of the father and child.

To fathers who are at the present not doing enough, do more. Play a bigger part in your children’s life, because the end all is that a father’s involvement is critical to a child’s development and achievement. And importantly its never too late to do more. Even if you are a non resident father i.e you do not live with the child or children either due to the fact that you and the mother were unmarried or that your marriage ended in divorce, you can still make a difference in your children’s lives. And I know that non resident fathers specifically face a lot of challenges but do the best that you can to be an influence in your child’s life not only financially (please pay that child support!!!!) but also develop a close relationship with your children (studies show children who feel close to their non resident fathers generally do better than their counter-parts).

To single mothers (term used loosely to mean unmarried women with children and divorced mothers),you have a duty to your children to encourage and facilitate a relationship between them and their fathers. At the end of the day, the fact that you feel bitter and resentful towards the child’s father has got nothing to do with your child. Love your child enough to allow him/her to experience the gift of a father’s love.

To children who have not had a relationship with their fathers for whatever reason and have an opportunity to rebuild that relationship and make up for lost time, I implore you to give your fathers a chance. I once fell into this bracket and believe me, the only place resentment can keep you warm is at a pity party. But NOTHING in this world can substitute wholeheartedly receiving and accepting your father’s love (irrespective of how old you might be or how long it has been).

To those who have lost their fathers, Psalms 68:5 says A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows is God in his holy dwelling…and that you must never forget!

To all fathers who play the role of a father, you are appreciated and loved. Words are not enough to express our gratitude. HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!!!! ❤