(ThyBlackMan.com) This holiday season fathers should make sure they re-evaluate their relationships with their children and families. This is a time for giving thanks and appreciation for the Blessings they have. Not how much money they have, not what they can buy on special buying days; the
important things are their love, devotion and dedication to their children. This will carry their children through the challenges life will take them through.
As I prepare for my son’s graduation from #FAMU, my thoughts are on my duties as a father, my duties and responsibilities. God created fathers to be the shoulders their children can stand on.
Maturing as a father is gained through experiences in life, mistakes made and learned from trial and error, hard work, discipline; fathers need to be a support mechanism for their children. “There is no manual on how to be a father” L. Henderson (grandfather of three), so fathers are learning as they grow. Fathering does not stop at planting the seed in the womb; it extends to raising the child after the birthing process. Pastor Timothy Cole of West
Friendship Bapt. in Jacksonville, Fl has stated many times relating to fathers in the Bible that “You can’t plant a seed and leave it alone.”
Fathers must be mindful of whose shoulders they are standing on, who influences whom and in turn needs to stand on their shoulders and is influenced by their decisions.
The collection of experiences and spiritual decisions directly influences the parental journeys on men and being a father, maturing as a man. No man is an island and no man is a mountain unto himself. Fathers should not forget whose shoulders they stand on as they mature. The shoulders of support, wisdom, guidance, discipline, love, patience and other nurturing elements needed to be a positive for fathers.
As a divorced father, paying child support and accepting my responsibility to continue to teach, mentor, guide and pray for my children, my responsibility and that of millions of other fathers is beyond money. Even though a professional educator I struggle at times with finances and sacrifice so my children can have, so I must stay “Manned Up” for my children to show them by my actions that I will not abandon them. Money does not make nor break me, because my faith is that strong.
My lessons of life for them are just as important as my financial responsibilities, more fathers need to understand this. Fathers need to see the world on a broader scale, not just their experiences for life, their children are not inconveniences or drama. As Malcolm X stated about change and growth as a father himself, “I haven’t just changed, but see the world on a broader scale.”
Fathers plant a seed and that seed develops and grows into a copy of them. “You will always produce more than what you planted” Timothy Cole, Pastor. Even though the seed grows in the womb of the mother that child will be a genetic copy of its mother and father, but have individual variations physically, emotionally, and even mentally.
The seeds of a male will plant others seeds, so fathers must work to have a harvest of good children not hell raisers, vagabonds, criminals and menaces to society.
The shoulders of a father can either support his children by elevating them, lifting them to higher levels educationally and spiritually. If a fathers shoulders are strong they can set a solid foundation, even for their grandchildren, if a fathers shoulders are weak they do not have the strength to weather the storms of life.
An unfortunate truth in the life of children is a father’s children may suffer because of weak shoulders, lacking knowledge, not valuing education, embracing a spirit of rebellion, violence and even defying the Word of God.
Each man stands on the shoulders of another man; father’s shoulders are the foundation for a child, the underpinning of their families, homes, communities and even religious foundations.
In various religious doctrines the father is the leader, the emissary between a higher being and the family. Fathers are the bedrock that families need, a true father will pray for his family, praise his children, and participate in parenting with his wife, partner or companion.
“A father is always of service to his family and even his community.” William Jackson Honestly and Etiquette: Fathers ask your wife, partner, companion do they trust your shoulders, occasionally look in the mirror and re-evaluate your shoulders to find out who you really are. Fathers be careful of what you do, where you go because if you step into darkness, chaos, confusion, death and destruction you take the risk of carrying your children into this as well. You lead by example……….
All fathers need to be involved in schools so children will be successful, all fathers need to be in churches to learn about their duties as a father, to learn where their help and support is. All fathers need guidance, support and prayers to be the best they can be. This holiday season fathers look at your children and families with new eyes and stronger shoulders. Don’t try to be perfect, but work towards being better each day..Your shoulders are lifting generations to come.. Fathers: Can Your Shoulders Handle Your Title.
Staff Writer; William D. Jackson
Find out more about this talented writer over at; OCS For Education.
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