Father

Today, being Father's Day, let us appreciate all the fathers of this world. And let us focus on the role of father and God's expectation of a good father.

The father figure plays a significant role in affecting the mental and physical health of their child or children. Regardless of how the father figure is connected to the child, the most important aspect of the parent-child relationship is the quality of it,

Some quotes from the scripture are:

Proverbs 23:24: "The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him."

Proverbs 23:22: "Listen to your father, who gave your life, and do not despise your mother when she is old."

Proverbs 4:11-12: "I will guide you in the way of wisdom and I will lead you in upright paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered, and when you run, you will not stumble."

Based on the scriptures above let me narrate the 5 important roles of a father.

Father is a caregiver.

Father is supposed to show love and affection to his children. Children long for the love of parents. Fathers are supposed to spend time with their children, listen to them, entertain them and fulfill their desires and show love and affection.

Father is a provider.

He is supposed to provide for the family needs. He must work hard to ensure that he gets income to take care of the family needs. He should educate the children and ensure the family needs are met. He has the responsibility of acquiring wealth for this family and ensuring their happiness.

Father is a protector.

A father is a protector of his family. He is supposed to protect his family from the evil world and sinful practices. He is supposed to teach his children Godly ways and protect them from going astray. He is supposed to teach them good morals, spiritual disciplines and ensure that they follow them.

The most important privilege that God gives a father is to bring his child to Christ and then to train that child in the things of the Bible and things of the Lord. The most awesome responsibility is for him to do it. If he doesn't, he will receive the most awesome judgment that can come to a man, next to his rejecting Jesus himself.

Father is a character builder.

While both parents are there to provide equal amounts of support, a father's responsibility is to not only be a good father and a husband but to be a disciplinarian - helping teach children about responsibility and discerning right from wrong, as well as helping build important aspects of your child's character.

Father is a role model.

Children, despite sometimes saying they don't like their fathers or getting into a fight with them, often tend to imitate their parents. So what a father does in his everyday life and interactions with them is a very important facet of his child's growth that he has to take good care of. He is supposed to practice good behavior and attitudes in his life, so that the children follow them and keep their father as their role models.

This week, let us reflect

• How far have I fulfilled the responsibility of a parent to my children?
• What areas must I improve?
  
  

As God the Father loves, provides, protects, disciplines and builds our character for His kingdom, let us also do the same for our children.