TEARS OF A FATHER

Father plays a very important role in the family, and makes a significant contribution for the development of the children. However, in my option, a father in the world we live in today, is a “tragedy” unfolding. The consequences of such a situation is disastrous for the family and to the society. This may not be an ideal way to begin the devotion on “Fathers’ Day.” Forgive me dear brothers and sisters, but I strongly feel that way, when I see, the contribution of a father to the family is greatly neglected. This is seen nowhere more clearly than the way a father is many times unflatteringly referred to as “Hitler” or “Dictator” or some similar titles, by his children.
– “A good father is one of the most unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society” – Billy Graham
– ‘The crisis of fatherhood which we are living through today constitutes the heart of the human crisis that is threatening us. To be fully human, we need a father in the true sense of the word.’ – Pope Benedict XVI
– “Fathers (and father figures) make a vital contribution to their children’s development. What fathers have to offer their children is different from what mothers offer, but it is just as important to the child.” – Association of Child Psychologists – UK

The society at large contributes a lot for such stereotyping of the father and his role in the family. Pardon me dear women, I say the following with great admiration and respect for women, and their invaluable contribution to the family and society. The world goes all out in praising the woman and the mother – rightly so, and very deserving. However, in the process of elevating the contribution of women and mothers to the families and society, are we inadvertently downgrading the role and contribution of men and fathers to the family and society? I feel a nagging suspicion, that we are.
– “People call some fathers “simple men” because they ask for very little…He says he wants nothing for his birthday, nothing from the shop, nothing for himself. The family believes him. He slowly becomes a person everybody loves and nobody knows how to care for.” – @WarpaintJournal-Instagram

Let me ask a quick question to make my point. How many advertisements do we see promoting Fathers’ Day? Almost zero is my assumption, after observing for at least four plus years. I guess this is the case world over. How many videos have we seen about the “invaluable” sacrifices and contribution of fathers to the family and the society, in all our lives? Negligible if any – almost none would be the most likely answer. Isn’t it so? This is not a comparison, nor some kind of competition for attention between women and men…mothers and fathers. No, this is not what I am trying to say.

Men are mostly portrayed as brutes and chauvinists…sadly there are plenty of examples. I was searching Google about fathers, and it was displaying articles on “how men could be better fathers.” Hardly any about the contribution of men as father’s to the family.  
– “‘Dads are very sadly underappreciated. My Question: How can we change that?'”* – As a daughter…[I] know my Dad isn’t happy and doesn’t feel loved. I talked with him and He said: *”After years of trying to make you guys (my family) love me I finally gave up trying to feel loved since no one does.” – A True Incident

However, this is not the whole story about men and fathers. I can tell great many stories about my father, who has strong traditional views on family, yet…
– my mother never asked him even once to help her with washing clothes at our home. He would happily and gladly walk behind her to help share the work. My mother washed the clothes, and my father filled the drums with physically drawing water from the well, and hung the clothes on the line, happily. Physically speaking, what my father took up is hard work – this what our Creator God created men for. He was happy to help my mother. 
– My father never ever asked my mother to get him even for a glass of water. He simply would walk to the kitchen and get what he wants.
– My father willingly gave the financial management to my mother because he considered my mother to be better at handling money – my father is too liberal and generous, he still is at 91.
– In all my life I never saw my father taking any decision without first consulting my mother. My father always asked for my mother’s advise in all matters. There are times when they discussed [yes, discussed never argue] at length about the concerned matter…as equals.
– My father, immediately after his marriage, moved from his native town about 100 kilometres from here, leaving his parents, four brothers and sisters, simply because my mother had a permanent job here, and he didn’t want to disturb her. God blessed this move, and the whole family on my father’s side was blessed because of this decision.

Is my father perfect? No, he is not. He too is flawed just like any other man and woman. Yes there are bad men and bad fathers. However all men are not bad, nor all fathers bad. Stereotyping uses a broad brush, and paints almost everything as bad and wrong, in a sweeping generalisation. This Fathers’ Day let us break that stereotype image of the man and the father, and pay our respect to our fathers, which is rightfully theirs. They have earned it, and they deserve it. 

HAPPY FATHERS’ DAY! to all the fathers. May the LORD Jesus bless us and our family. May we continue to be a blessing to the family, as intended by our Father in heaven. Even so, the LORD help us.