Dear Dads,
Engage the cycle of consistency and fulfill it with opportunity for generations to come!
I am still in my neonate phase of fatherhood. I do not have all of the answers. I love being a father and cherish its privilege! Fatherhood is not easy. It surely is rewarding. Fatherhood...is like a wolf pack, a lion's pride, or like flying with eagles.
The Wolf Pack
Father comes from the Old English word,
faeder, meaning "one who exercises parental care over another."
Hood comes from the Old English word, -
had, meaning "quality, condition, or position. In essence, fatherhood is an overarching term for a man who holds the position of taking care of his child on a regular basis. There are no vacations from fatherhood. None. As long as you and your offspring are living, you are always in the position and fleet of and for fatherhood. Fatherhood possesses reflections in so many fashions. The public eye sees fathers playing with their kids, taking them shopping, reading to them, or even changing a diaper. However, many times news arises that may question the increasing need for fathers in the world. The absence of fatherhood affects and echoes from generation to generation:
A 12-year old child in Omaha, Nebraska is wanted for first degree murder.
Where was his father to discipline his son?
A mother in Florida loses three of her kids to violence. Her last child who was murdered (and targeted) saved her life by shielding his mother from the bullets.
Where is the father to train his son not to hang with the wrong crowd?
Another athlete hits his girlfriend/fiancee/wife. He loses a scholarship or sponsorship. He is forced to give a public apology.
Where is his father to offer the advice on what to do before the heat of an argument spawns in to a fiery bit of physical rage? The act leaves an indelible mark.
A young man, delusional to the envy of racial hatred, walks in to a historical black church during their Bible study, stands up, and shoots nine people. You get one life. Nine lives cut short.
Where is his father to put his son in the position of love before this catastrophic event.
A 20-year old man drops out of college because he says, "I can't handle the pressure." He comes back home to hang with his friends who do not possess the grit to further educate themselves. The young man gets in to the wrong mess and ends up locked up.
Where is his father to offer that motivational talk? To offer that since of confidence? To offer the shield of promise and correction?
Engage the cycle...
Of speaking to your son or daughter.
Of ending disorder and contagious behavioral disease in the household that your kids will emulate.
Of taking care of yourself through mind, body, and soul. Fathers, you have to set high standards of living that enrich you mentally, physically, and spiritually. Your family will reap the impressive benefits!
Of eliminating the phrase, "I can't," as a determinant to the successful and humble path laid out for you. When your children hear this phrase, they emulate it and stop themselves short of success. You, fathers, are a major part of your child's support system...A. Major. Part.
Engage the cycle...
The Lion's Pride
Fatherhood is leadership. Fatherhood is support. Fatherhood is fun and a refreshment. Fatherhood is a rewarding challenge. It is a vast privilege that is God-given and many choose to flow with it. Others choose to deny it. Like lions, the fatherhood pursuit fits well with motherhood - what a dynamic duo that is molded to cope with reality! Yet, when the father purposefully goes AWOL, the family, and hence, the family pride suffers and is emotionally cracked.
Remember: there is no leave from fatherhood. It's a job without retirement but with the best benefits.
When fatherhood is denied, the family dynamic simmers like a hunter seeking to destroy the head of a clan. Developing a defense against all temptation or danger that thwarts your progress as a father is imperative to keeping a strong fatherhood profile. Durable, flexible, energetic, intelligent, and courageous, fatherhood is the solid rock of the family that works in partnership, delivering strength and much needed boldness.
Fatherhood is a brotherhood. Fathers make mistakes -
we are not perfect, but we were made perfect to do the job that we need to fulfill. When one father falls on his duty, other men tend to step up. The pride has support. Grandfathers, uncles, brothers, nephews, friends, and cousins all, to some degree, serve as father-figures when children suffer to the absence of the head of the household. At least, it should be that way.
Engage the cycle...
Fly Like Eagles
Entertain the cycle of consistency, love, leadership, support, and fill it with much opportunity!
...And, headlines may read: high school senior is accepted to all of the Ivy League universities.
His father always gave him first rate advice.
...And, headlines may read: a 12-year old boy develops a service business to help the homeless.
His father always told him to help others.
...And, headlines may read: Three sisters return home from college to transform their community in to a place of cultural extravagance. Their father inspired them with his gentleness and open-mindedness.
...And, headlines may read: A group of professional athletes donate one-tenth of their salary to their home churches.
The act follows in their father's footsteps to give back to their Lord and Savior and church community.
...And, headlines may read: A young man talks to a shooter, offering him advice
that his father taught him. Saves the day.
...And, headlines may read: a 20-year old male finishes college in three years, and during the process saves enough money to payoff his family's mortgage, resurrecting advice
that his father gave him on how to make honest money.
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
Engage the cycle!
In the end, be thankful, be humble, be joyful, be gentle, be you.
Sincerely,
Derek
P.S. Do not forget to kiss your wife and children too!
