On mother's day I was talking to a good friend of mine about my blog post on that self same subject and she happened to mention that her husband didn't like mother's day because he thought it was unfair that mothers got lots of fuss in church when fathers. who are every bit as important, are largely overlooked on their day. And he is right isn't he? Loads of churches make a big deal of mothers - in the church I was in that Sunday ( which wasn't my own church as I was helping out with worship somewhere else) I was handed a pot plant as I left. I don't think I can recall many father's days when Dads have been given gifts on the way out.So in these days of equality I think I had better redress the balance and write a post in praise of Dads. :)
Dads are super important people. We were designed to have fathers, because God is the ultimate Father and He longs to show us what He is like through the relationships He places in our lives. I'm not sure I can adequately explain the difference between ' mothering' and 'fathering', but I believe there is a difference. It has nothing to do with roles and characteristics. I firmly believe that a Dad can change nappies and stay at home and look after babies just as a Mum can wrestle teenage boys to the floor and teach them to drive. And both can bring an equal amount of love to a child. Fathering is a spiritual thing. It is about inheritance and authority. And about representing the heart of the Father in the family.
So to all you Dads out there - I salute you.
To the work worn, over committed, exhausted Dads who feel guilty at not spending enough time with the kids - thank you for all your hard work and dedication. As long as they know you love them that will be enough . Because love covers over a multitude of things that we can't cover ourselves.
To the Dads who are also Mums because they are caring on their own. Bravo! Well done, it must be super hard. I pray you get the help you need and are able to take it when its offered. I pray for friends and a social life and enough money to meet your needs.
To the Dads of boys and the Dads of girls, the the fathers of twins and triplets and those whose kids have difficulties and health needs : you have your hands full but you are doing a great job. I pray that your marriages and relationships are strong and healthy and that you can enjoy every moment of being a parent to those precious ones.
To the men who have longed to be Fathers but can't be. You can be overlooked and your pain can go unexpressed. Please know that God sees you and understands. There is peace and it is possible to find it. Or to allow it to find you. Fathering isnt only biological. The church needs spiritual fathers and the world needs to know the expressions of a fathers heart reaching out in love and faithfulness
To grandfathers who are enjoying parenting all over again at a distance - bless you for your wisdom and insight, for your care and your fun. May your grandfathering bring you huge amounts of joy and may your family relationships strengthen and deepen over the years.
And to those of you who have had a difficult relationship with your own fathers - may God bless you so much that forgiveness and kindness and love flow out of you into the broken places. May past hurts be erased and first steps of reconciliation be taken where at all possible
You men probably don't get told often enough how great you are. Our boys and young men look up to so many of you and want to be who you are. Our girls and young women watch how you treat your wives and sisters and mothers and friends and build their expectations for the future around the example you set. In a world which sends out so many warped and mixed messages about identity and gender and roles and responsibilities you guys are the real deal. It can't be easy. Thank you for being you and holding true to the man God has called you to be.
May you get flowers on Father's day and all the appreciation you deserve .
No comments:
Post a Comment