Fathers Day 2015

With Fathers Day approaching, I feel inclined to share a recap or overview, if you will on manliness and fatherhood. I sense an urgent need for society to rediscover what it means to really be a man/father. As you know, any Joe Blow can father a child, but not every Joe Blow knows how to be a father. Statistics tell us that boys (and girls) who grow up without a stable male role-model in their lives, very often have problems and issues that follow them the rest of their lives.
Rejection in itself creates a domino effect of damaging emotions and insecurities. Society is full of kids without dads in their lives.I'm sure if you ponder for a second, you can think of people that you know personally who had no father influence growing up. These types are more prone to suicide and tend to gravitate toward groups such as gangs and recently, terrorists groups for acceptance, approval and a sense of belonging. So in short, real men stick around and take care of their children, they love them, protect them and cultivate good relationships with them, not to mention mentoring and training them in ways that will make them good productive,courteous citizens in their adult lives. In my opinion, good fathers train their children according to the ways of God. It's only appropriate for the one who made us to know how to guide us toward what is best for us.
Now that I have touched on fatherhood, lets delve into the often misunderstood word "manliness"
The popular 70's band Boston had a song title that asked "What does it take to be a man?" I think that is a good question to resolve for the current society who is under the impression that manliness requires driving a big truck, wearing the popular labels, (regardless if you know what it stands for or not) and simply following the crowd,oblivious to how ridiculous it  looks. Any wise guy can play follow the leader.
When I think of manliness I think of my dad. That man is always going out of his way to help me on an outdoor home project or helping me out of a mechanical vehicle bind. He is very self-giving. He may be tired from working hard all day, but he always puts others first.He took the time when I was younger to show me how to fix my own cars, mowers, and how to work with my hands. He always had time for me as opposed to setting me in front of  video games for hours to keep me out of his way. He taught me responsibility. We had a small farm and I had to assist in caring for animals.I didn't always enjoy his demands at the time but later I learned that he was teaching me character and how to be responsible and punctual. All of which later helped mold me to the person I am today.He was a great provider and care taker of  our family.He was a great husband to my mom. Dad has never driven the latest, most popular vehicles. He does not wear name brand clothes. Simply put, dad does not let culture define him. He practices the qualities reflected in the bible. Qualities like humility,self-sacrifice, good stewardship in finances and self-control.Unlike young men of today, He is not afraid to be what he knows is right, regardless of what everyone else thinks. That's how I define manliness. Stepping up to the plate and facing the crowd with enough guts and self confidence to be yourself, regardless of what the crowd is doing. Yes, in my opinion, If every father could be like my dad, well...the world would be a better place to live! So isn't it time you stepped out of the pattern that the world dictates for you and be the man God intended for you to be...and walk in the pattern that God dictates! I highly recommend you do. Not just for your sake, but for the sake of others who are watching you.