Father's...

Father’s Day is an incredible day for many families. It is a time to celebrate your dad for the man he is in your life, for the way he raised you, for the love and joy he provides. However, there are so very many today brought up without a father. The National Fatherhood Initiative shows that in 1960 there were 7 million children without fathers in the United States. Today, that number has increased to 24 million. Does that figure cause a reaction in you? If not, it should.

Life without a father is unimaginable to me, personally, because I grew up in house where my brother and I were my dad’s world. He worked to provide a happy life for our family, he made it possible for my mother to stay at home with us, but most of all he passed down his love of the Lord. He taught us to seek our value not in worldly things but in Christ. My dad is a man I admire, respect and cherish.

These statistics show that the damage done to a child without a father is truly devastating. Children need strong male influences in their lives and it is clear that without that many children will suffer more than just emotional scars.

According to statistics:
•63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes
•85% of all children who show behavior disorders come from fatherless homes
(Center for Disease Control)
•71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes (National Principals Association Report)
•75% of all teen patients in chemical abuse centers are from fatherless homes (Rainbows for All God’s Children)
•70% of youths in state-operated institutions come from fatherless homes (U.S. Dept. of Justice)
•85% of all youths in prison come from fatherless homes
(Fulton Co. Georgia, Texas Dept. of Correction)

This can’t be okay if we believe what the word says about fathers. It clearly calls fathers to love their children and to lead them in the path of the Lord and not anger, irritate or frustrate your child. Ephesians 6:4 says, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” It's clear from the above mentioned statistics that NOT having a father can destroy a child's life.

Children in homes without fathers grow up continuing to long for that relationship. Some young ladies that do not have an example of how a real man who genuinely loves and cares for her end up searching for love in the wrong place. Young men without fathers grow up never being taught, by a man, how to treat a young lady.

A sad fact to me is how our media often portrays the role of father as someone who does nothing. They want us to see a father as a man who comes home at the end of the day to recline in his lazyboy and truly have little to do with his children or wife. Satan wants us to believe that ALL fathers are good for is a paycheck and for a good laugh and that mothers can do it all…however it’s just not so.

So, in light of the fact that Father’s day is here upon us, I call you to encourage the father’s around you that are doing their best to follow God’s calling on their life. I urge you to pray for those children who do not have a father, to love on their families even more. Not every child has a choice...some moms have to do everything on their own because a man chose to leave their family. Finally, I ask that you remember the 147+ million orphans in the world who have no father. James 1:27 says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

I want to wish my father, a very happy Father’s day. He truly is a man I treasure and want to thank for providing me the love of the Lord and for teaching me what qualities to look for in a spouse, and always treating me as if today were the very last day we’d see each other. Oh, how grateful I am for him and dearly love him.

I also wish my incredible hubbs a happy Father’s day. He is an amazing father to our two girls and I can’t fathom the thought of taking this journey of parenthood without my best friend helping me along the way. He is a loving and devoted father that truly values his precious time with our girls. He loves with his whole heart...a characteristic I admire and learn from daily.

Hopefully, you gained some information that you didn’t know about the incredible role of a father and the effects of not having one. Remember to look after those children without a father...help those moms out! Fathers, be what God desires and mothers help your mate by encouraging him and lifting him up in prayer. Our men are destined for greatness...but we have to believe it as well.

Much love,
~K