June 2018

Dear Friends ~

Fatherhood is such a complex role for men when their primary obligation is to be away from their children most of the day earning a living… but, it is precisely that steadfastness to duty that will relay so much to the children.  Children learn from example and when they see their Dad committed to providing for their every need, they see consistent love and responsibility demonstrated.  Naturally young children are self-centered but they soon learn the family obligations are many and whatever income the Father provides must be parceled out past themselves for necessities like home, food, clothing, etc. All these things the Father does are mainly for the material needs of his family but he relays caring love past the physical by sharing his home time with them, by interacting with their interests and teaching them the skills that only a Dad can do. When you are three feet tall, protector Dad is most important when things go bump in the night, or when Mother Nature hurls her best from the sky above, wrapping oneself around Dad’s knees brings a quick dose of security.  Fathers take the family out to new experiences or places relaying calm assurance that he is in control and the trusting child enjoys protection from harm, which is most important to children for they are learning at a very young age that a harmful world exists everywhere.

A Father instills manners and virtue in his children by the verbal and physical attitudes he portrays in his relationships with others, and especially how he treats the children’s Mother.  His goodness or badness is picked up by the children to emulate, for the masculine image does dominate and sets the tone for the whole family image…  granted in some families, Mom is boss, but God’s design placed man at the head of the family.  The verbal communication between parents will usually show to the children who rules the roost, and the children learn which parent to choose for which need they want fulfilled…  but when discrepancies arise and Father has the last word, respect is garnered.  That respect is the beginning of love and children grow into admiring the differences of parents but they need to see that common goals exist between united parents on what ideals and direction the family will pursue.

 As head of the household, the most important obligation a Father posses is to instill in his children the acknowledgment of faith in Almighty God, their Heavenly Father.  By his example of religious belief and openly imploring God’s help for the family, a dedicated Father is teaching his children to recognize the true Creator of life, the power and love that God has for His creation, and that His rules for conduct govern their family behavior.  The humility of a genuine Father will acknowledge that he can’t do everything and be everywhere for his children but that their Heavenly Father can be, so that whenever a child feels afraid or in need, they should know to ask God for help for nothing is beyond His capability… when a Father believes that, relays in earnest that belief, he is setting his children up for life with the greatest loving protector and provider of all. Children should learn to pray and talk to God as early in their life as possible and by participating in the true rituals of religious holidays that will only cement their faith in God.  That’s what an earthly Father must do, establish his children on the pathway to heaven, for an eventual eternal family reunion in heaven… the salvation of the souls of his children is a Father’s greatest responsibility before Almighty God.

 Father’s are not always privy to the daily ups and downs of a child’s life and while Mom may bring Dad up-to-speed when he arrives home, his interest and concern must be felt by the child, especially if discipline is required and certainly when love and pride must be relayed for accomplishments. Missing out on a child’s milestones falls to a Father’s work obligations, but better to have a recounting and a private one-on-one recap to cement their connection rather than no interaction at all… it isn’t always the quantity but the quality of the attention that matters.  A Father’s bear hug at the end of the day says what all children need to know, “Daddy loves me!”  Papa bears also need that daily dose of returned loving giggle, for that’s what makes life worthwhile.