Father's Day was
officially made an international celebration on June 19, 1910 as a complement
to the infamous and beloved Mother's Day. It was created for the purpose of
honoring the hard work fathers do for their families, and for paying respect to
fatherly figures that influence children and teens alike when a father is
absent.
Dads do a lot. When they
are not busy "losing" races and "losing" at cards, they
take on the job of being responsible for the whole family's well-being. Aside
from high-stress jobs that fathers take for income, they also have the job of
influencing their children and teaching them rights from wrongs. For example,
fathers teach their sons by example on how to treat their future wife when he
holds the door open for her and/or goes out of his way for her. Fathers also
teach their daughters by example when they draw the line between submitting vs.
taking a stand. Fathers teach their children through patience and love when
they correct them from mistakes or give priceless advice for their future. They
sometimes answer a prodigal son with irritating riddles of wisdom or a runaway
princess with unfathomable compassion for her down-spiraling life. No matter
where you are or what age you are, dad will be there with strict but loving
support. Where the mother is the comforter in the family a father is the mentor
and counselor to his children.
With the decline of
traditions and the "traditional" family, some fathers have gone
missing from their parental job, which is why we must also pay respect to the
men who step out of their way to be a fatherly figure to those who are missing
a father. Fatherly figures (such as pastors, uncles, neighborhood mentors,
etc.), are just as important as a father in a child's development. When a child
is missing a male to look up to they often turn to fault-filled older male
friends or even gangs for the acceptance and mentoring they are missing. So,
good fatherly figures must be honored and appreciated for the free and
priceless mentoring they give to such father-starved children.
A quote from Courageous
by Alex and Stephen Kendrick really sums up what an impact a father [or
fatherly figure] really makes: “You know, if fathers [or fatherly
figures] just did what they’re supposed to do, half of the junk [gang
violence, drug abuse, prostitution, etc.] that we face [as cops] on
the streets wouldn’t exist.” Yes, fathers do the mundane chores at home and
relax with their family to watch some cartoons or sports, but behind the
mundane, they are simply there. Being there to talk to and be with makes the
difference to a maturing boy or girl. As fathers, they may not be Superman or
do the exciting things in life like their single buddies, but they are Superman
to their family. Research shows that: Fatherless boys and girls are, twice as
likely to drop out of high school; twice as likely to end up in jail; and four
times more likely to need help for emotional or behavioral problems. [US
D.H.H.S. news release, March 26, 1999]. Likewise, 63%
of youth suicides are from fatherless homes. [US D.H.H.S., Bureau of the Census].
The statistics are quite dumbfounding, but they show us the importance of dad
being there and being able to talk to. As mentioned before, dads are the mentor
and counselor to their children. A missing mentor creates large room for
mistakes and their terrible consequences.
I have an awesome dad.
His job has been fixing cars since the moment I took my first breath, and I
even remember being a terrified little toddler when I saw wrecked and totaled
cars. But my dad has made a huge difference in my life. Without my dad there to
teach me to toughen up and try anything as long as I liked it, I would not be
stepping out of my comfort zones and writing articles. He has been there in my
darkest hours while on chemotherapy and in my easy hours, when I would not stop
complaining about how bored I was. Although I may not always agree with what he
teaches me all of the time, I know that he only wants the best for me, and
through some God-given gift of being a father, he sees way into the future and
spots red flags way before I can even consider the threats. My mom has done
just the same and has taught me how to be a young woman with manners and
reverence towards everyone. They have worked and still work as a team in order to
help me be ready for life and what it throws at me in the future.
Another father we can
honor on Father’s Day is none other than our Heavenly Father, whom, just like
most earthly fathers and fatherly figures has only good plans and a wonderful
future in mind for us. Although we can never understand how his ways are in the
difficult times, we should trust him because he will always be there, and he
works "behind the scenes" in ways we can't see or understand until
the time is right. His affection and care for us are a river that constantly
flows when we open our eyes to actually see it.
Fathers can either make
or break the next generation depending on how responsible they are for their
family. Fatherly figures are just as important in counteracting the declining
number of responsible biological fathers; they are changing the world one child
at a time through teaching right from wrong. Men in general have such a gift
from the Father—that is the chance of being a role model to those little eyes
that catch everything they do. But the Father of us all has granted men the
wisdom to impact the world by beginning right at home. To all the fathers,
fatherly figures, and men in general—happy Father’s Day! You all make the
difference to the next generation, and if you are ever feeling worn out from
your duties, just look up to your father and the Father, and they will give you
strength and courage. Keep changing the world!
Written by AlinaSopt