Fathers need to be heralded in general and your own, in particular. Fathers are important and have an important role to fulfill. This should never be under-estimated. Of course, I'm talking about those 'good' Dads out there; NOT the abusers.There seems to be abundant negative 'talk' about Dads, almost as if they are redunant after the moment of conception of their child and not to be trusted for anything else. Just look at talk shows, and movies; listen to the news. So much negative speak and contempt. It's no wonder many Dads shy away, making themselves scarce; doubting their own worth as a father.
Recently, one of the plethora of YouTube videos found its way to me. It was of a Dad looking after young triplets; likely not much more than a year old. He was feeding them, playing with them, and taking them to the park for a walk in the fresh air. He was so very patient and attentive to them even though he had to be quick and nimble on his feet. Whether all that was 'just for the video' I do not know, hopefully it was more than that. It was a documenting of priceless moments of everyday life that would become wonderful memories for him but also building blocks of relationship for the triplets whether they were aware of it or not.
In the Bible, there is so, so much about a Dad's input especially in the spiritual arena. Dads, be encouraged to do a study of biblical fathers: their role and their successes and their failures (yes, we all make mistakes). See how much you can do. Look especially into how God was 'fathering' His children of Israel and how He loved and cared for them so much. See, in the New Testament how Jesus groomed His disciples and how the apostle Paul mentored several brothers-in-Christ, and seemed to take an especial fatherly interest in Timothy.
I hope any father reading this does not feel 'nagged' at. No! This is meant to inspire, hearten and uplift you all.
You Dads out there are needed and greatly significant, even in what may be considered the 'little' things. Such things as teaching your children to ride a bicycle; take out the garbage, show respect to the mother, and women in general; make a cake; make a table or to have fun like to drive your children to the beach to swim, throw the frisbee and have a picnic. Naturally, the 'big things' too, like the privilege of leading your children to Christ and growing in their relationship with Him and guiding them to make wise decisions and choices of life. Teaching also by example, for example, being faithful to one's spouse for the long haul.
I can recall my own Dad doing most of those things. The excitement of a new bike and learning how to ride it, "Look at me Dad, no hands!" He taught me to drive the four wheeled vehicle too - a stick shift car. Oh, he had nerves of steel. He had too. He had six children to teach the rules of the road and how to navigate, stoically steeling himself against sudden swerves and swings and 'almost's'.
He let us swing a heavy mallet we could barely lift and attempt to pound a tent peg into the ground in hopes of teaching responsibility goes along with privilege. He let us drive a long bus a few feet in a wide-opened space where not much could go wrong, so that the curiosity of the "cat" and thrill of it would be satisfied, and I suppose we would learn we'd have to be cautious and careful and be aware of safety measures. He built a small dam each late autumn creating a little pond with water accumulating from an underwater spring, in hopes of a deep freeze; creating an ice rink. Many happy hours of skating with siblings and neighbor kids ensued.
As we grew, he was still there leading and guiding even if we didn't always appreciate it. He and Mom together introduced us to the Lord and what pleased Him. I'm more grateful now.
He was there and he was a constant in our lives. He walked me down the aisle on my wedding day and then he and Mom had the pain of saying, "good-bye" as the newlyweds soared away.
Oh, ha, ha, or was that tears of, "Empty nest, at last; hurray?!" Ha, ha. I don't think so.
In the end, Dad was struck with Alzheimer's Disease. It was so sad to see a parent who's 'supposed' to be the strong and healthy one in ones' life, so weakened. One thing that struck, especially my sister, who had the brunt of his care, and I , was that he remembered Jesus loved him, til the very end. He could not remember much else, but that, he could. It was astonishingly amazing to us!
This fact had been the most important thing to him in cognisant life and even in the murky fog of mind at the end. This was his "last will and testiment" to all his children and those who knew him. If he had given up part way along when bad things happened, where would his children, and others, be now? His faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was a pillar to him and he let it be known. This is precious substance in life that any father who is, 'in Christ', could give to their offspring.
Dads out there -- many this be your experience (minus the Alzheimer's Disease) -- your input is of essence and necessity all the years of your children's lives; whether you are the biological or adoptive Dad. May I encourage you to be there; to be pro-active in your children's lives for their holistic good and betterment. May it be your legacy to your children.
We herald you!
May your children never forget you.
To finish off, here's my amateur tidbit of Haiku dedicated to my Dad in particular and to all Dads in general.
"Forget-me-nots' blue*,
Reminds me of you, my Dad;
'Til we meet again."
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY 2021,
to all Dads and Dads-to-be!
~ERC May 2021~
*Forget-me-not flowers are the flowers symbolizing Alzheimer's Disease. A way to remember your loved one when they are gone, even though they themselves have forgotten who you even are. He or she had no longer remembered that you were his/her spouse, son or daughter but you still know/knew who they are/were.
The forget-me-nots picture above taken by my sister. Photo credits to her. From her garden.
