A Word to Fathers

Today is my first official Father’s Day. I say official because my first Father’s Day was last year. The shortly before Father’s Day, Megan and I found out we would be blessed with a baby. We have prayed for a very long time to be blessed with a child and our prayers were answered with the positive pregnancy test. As I write this post today, Megan is currently rocking our son to sleep while we both are wearing noise cancelling headphones. The four-month sleep regression is not for the weak. For the parents who would read this, I am sure you understand that raising an infant is both rewarding and difficult. Our son is only four months old and we have years to go, but we have learned and grown greatly. There will still be the toddler phase, the energetic child, the rebellious teen, and the independent adult. There were sleepless nights and I know there will be even more when he is grown. My parents have said they had many sleepless nights with me and my sisters after we had grown and moved out of the house. That comes with the privilege of adulthood. In these difficult times, I turn to Scripture for encouragement.

I have been quoted many times several passages about children. Primarily Psalm 127, which among many things, tells us that children are a blessing. Jesus Himself blessed the children in the Gospels and encouraged the younger generation to seek Christ. There is much talk about how children are in relation to their parents, which is important. From my perspective, the interaction a father is to have to his children is often neglected. On my wedding band, one of my favorite verses is inscribed, Ephesians 5:25. Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesian church spent much speaking on the relationship between believers and each member of the family. This verse, which is the start of the instructions to the husband, said, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her (NASB95).” In a time where masculinity is viewed as toxic and evil, we should turn back to biblical masculinity.

There is nothing more masculine that a man providing for his wife and children. We, including myself for many years, think that providing is solely money. This is not the case as being active in your children’s life and supporting your wife is the manliest thing a man can do. We are to provide, but we are also to sacrifice. I heard a pastor, when speaking about a husband and wife, say that a husband should always be the one to sacrifice in order for his wife to be comfortable. This may be a controversial statement to those outside of the church, but for us in the church this is common knowledge. The husband sacrifices for his family, just as Christ sacrificed Himself for the church. We are to love our wives as Christ loved the church.

Children are a blessing. Having a wife is a blessing. Providing for your family is a blessing and a privilege given by God for a man. For the men who have been blessed with children, I wish you a happy Father’s Day and that your day was filled with joy. God bless you all.