Will The Real Fathers, Please SIT Down
Fathers, are you sitting down? Feels good right? How is your view? Now stand up. How is your view now? If you did this exercise, you would have to agree that even though the view while standing was wider and further, you would rather be sitting down. Some fathers may argue otherwise.
However, in this blog, I will show you the how the correct understanding of the word father will accelerate your growth and your presence will be appreciated in your home. In addition, as a father, when you do sit down, it will be a time to truly enjoy your wife and your children. Wives, if you are reading this (don’t worry, it’s okay), please forward to your husband or any father you may know, because most men do not fully understand what I will now share.
Boys may be boys, men may be men, but fathers must learn how to be a father. The bible says, “When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things” (1 Cor 13:11 KJV). To be the best father possible, you will have to learn some new things and put aside some things that have not been working for you. The first thing you may need to learn is the meaning of the word, “father.”
Why?
Because many fathers are perishing for the lack of this knowledge. Did you know that in the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for father, Ab or some would say, Abba, means source and sustainer? In New Testament, the Greek word for father, pater, means the same and can also mean nourisher.
A father is the source for his family. To be the source means, first, you must be connected to the source who is God. It is from that connection that a father is able to model godliness as he leads his family. It is from that connection that a father gets the vision for his family to see wider, further and clearer. What many fathers do not fully understand is that the source of something is the producer of that thing. It was from his “rib,” the woman was produced (Gen 2:22-24). It is from his “seed,” his children are produced. Stay with me, I’m going somewhere. When you produce something, it is your responsibility to sustain it.
A father must be the sustainer for his family. He must be the one his wife and children can count on for shelter, food, clothing and moral support. He must have that desire to be the provider and accept that it is his responsibility. God is very serious about this and fathers should be also. God says, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever” (1 Tim 5:8). I do understand that wives may work or certain circumstances, as the pandemic, may not allow a father to be working, but that desire to work must still be there.
A father must also be the one who nourishes his family. Nourishment includes being present and consistent. It is important to be known as consistent person, especially with your children. If you say you will do it, DO IT [seriously, DO IT], and if you can’t do it for whatever reason, communicate that with them. It is from consistency you will have the greatest influence with your family.
So, fathers, since you are the source, you must sustain and nourish what you have produced. With is new knowledge, "Will The Real Fathers Please Sit Down," as you enjoy your wife and children.
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By: Dr. Delroy Fredericks