From Ben – 6 September 2015
It is true to say that the role of the father figure in the home has become really confused today. Increasingly more and more homes are led by single parents. The media seems bent on destroying every last vestige of what we grew up to accept as an ordinary, normal home ie. dad, mum, children, all living under one roof. This model is under enormous threat with the redefinition of marriage and the promotion of alternative models of family. Fathers hardly know what is expected of them today. There is confusion and mixed messages being given to dads. I read recently of a teacher running a marriage course, who asked his class for the qualities of a good, godly father. This was their response:
Provider – He works steadily to meet his family’s needs.
Protector – He does all he can to make his home a safe place
Teacher – He shares his knowledge and encourages growth at home
Example – He shows by example a life of integrity, loyalty, and devotion.
Discipliner – He helps his children work within communicated boundaries
Leader – He models and points the family to a dedicated walk with God
Lover – He loves his children demonstratively and shows love and loyalty to their mother.
No one said being a dad would be easy. Let’s thank God for our dads and pray for them regularly.