FATHERS AND THEIR DAY

From My Perspective - - -

Today, in a special article entitled “Fatherhood Could Alter Men's Behavior” by USA Reporter Sharon Jayson, she reports: "We're finding that (fatherhood) does have mental health, well-being and actual physical health benefits," says David DeGarmo, a research scientist at the non-profit Oregon Social Learning Center in Eugene. In…”an 18-month study of 230 divorced fathers of kids ages 4-11 that was published in 2010 in the American Journal of Men's Health. It found that when a father was more involved with his kids, he had better health, drank less and had lower substance use." The report includes: "…fatherhood prompts men to be less self-centered, more giving and more outward-focused. It can prompt them to be more responsible and become more mature, especially to temper some of their risks…involved fathering promotes more positive attachments and relationships…"

A sad truth is that many children grow up in life and the world and have little or no knowledge of their Father nor the benefit of a role model one can emulate in later life. This was true in my life. My Father was removed from the home because of Tuberculosis when I was five years of age. He would die of Pneumonia when I was seven. For the better part of my life, I did not have a Father who cared and or who could demonstrate what it meant to be a Father. When I became an Adult, and married, and soon became a parent – I became a Father with little or no first hand experience regarding how to be a Dad. Additionally, my schedule of going to school and working at nights gave little opportunity for me to become acquainted with  and to be more involved in “Training up a child in the way he/she should go, so that when they are old(er), they will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6).” I tried, but in retrospect believe I could have done much better. It is a sad truth that a Father doesn’t get a “do-over” – just one chance to get it right.

I appreciate H.B. London and many things he writes and has written. In a posted Blog on June 12^th, 2012, he wrote: “Father’s Day: Three Things for Fathers to Emphasize. There are approximately 64.3 million fathers in our nation. An estimated 26.5 million of those dads are married with children under the age of 18 - millions who have the priceless opportunity to influence their children and direct their lives.The challenge comes, however, when a Dad decides how involved he will be in his children’s lives. That decision is priceless.Here are three things for fathers to remember:(1) Fathering must be intentional. Parenting of any value does not leave the results to chance. Dads must take seriously the development of their family.(2) Fathering must be patient and loving. Dads need to be involved.That means we are called to show love in such a way that our children can model our behavior. Showing love to their mom is a great start-loving them is priceless.(3) Fathering must be spiritual. For a child to properly develop as a whole person, he or she needs a dad with biblical values, and one who puts into practice his faith. Statistics prove that families with godly dads have better results. Bottom line: Dads are priceless! Encourage…men…to be involved fathers.”Above all else: ‘‘And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4, KJV).

In November 2010, HuffPost Black Voices reports: According to Children-our investment.org, homes without fathers ultimately affect children in numerous tragic ways: 63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes; 90% of all homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes; 85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes; 80% of rapists with anger problems come from fatherless homes; 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes; 75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers come from fatherless homes; 85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes.”

We need to be better Fathers/Dads. In Deuteronomy 6:1-7 (selected), we read: “These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe…so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life.These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Consider these things with me.