Fatherhood! What's is it?

Fatherhood is something I like to talk about. Even if it's like screaming into the wind in today's America. In school, many classes talk about the Fathers of different things. The Father of an invention, the Father of a faith, or even the Fathers of our Nation. How utterly confusing this must be for kids? Considering nearly half of the kids in this country go to sleep every night in a home that their Father does not live. The number is even higher for minorities, but that would take away from what I'm driving here.

While I will never dispute the need for a Mother's love, there are some things only a Father can provide for a child. Self confidence can only come from a child that clearly sees his Father believing in him. A child's self worth or identity comes from the tough love of a Father. It molds a child into what he must be. Loyalty, although displayed by the Mother, is ingrained into a child's mind by seeing his Father there in the midst no matter what the outcome. The understanding of how to treat a young lady comes from seeing a Father respect a Mother. Most importantly, security comes from a Father. Whether it's knowing the "monster under the bed" won't get you, or knowing Dad always has my back. A child without a Father's security will develop issues with all the earlier mentioned qualities.

Being a Father is not as hard as it sounds. To teach your life's experiences to you child can fill up your heart with pride to see their eagerness to learn. To believe that your child can go farther in this life than you, is a hope that fuels the soul. Most men stay loyal to a job for decades, so it should be easy to commit your years to always be seen supporting your child. The best is to give love to a child that can except it unconditionally. Then sit back a let a child return your love to you with an energy and exuberance that is all consuming. It is a reward that can not be matched.

The only thing that keeps men from being Fathers is the perverted view of this society. "Don't let no one hold you down" or "be free of a ball and chain" is just a misdirection to keep you from enjoying the privilege of being a Father. My Sons are not only my pride and joy, they are my crowning achievement in this life.

So be a Father. Not just to your on children, but to all children that would seek your Fatherness. Whether it's teaching, or coaching, or mentoring, or sharing, if you show a little bit of Fatherhood, children all around will be begging for more. There's something about loving a child like a Father that earns that child's loyalty.

What would this nation look like if every Father acted like a Father?