The Value of a Father

The Value of a Father

At times like this we need fathers. Not to discredit mothers, but you don’t hear a universal outcry about absent mothers in the world today. They have a reputation of being consistent.

To qualify, I’m not shredding dads. I’m supporting the increasing need for them, but as a woman you may be tired of hearing about men. I endeavour to speak about both consistently, but hopefully you can appreciate the topic of today.

In a COVID-19 ravaged world, I have been reminded to be thankful every day. I’m especially thankful for my dad. For every mistake he’s ever made, I grew and for every success, I gained. In him I have a lifetime of learning.

You may have heard the story of the lost son. To recap, a man leaves his home with an early inheritance from his pop. He squanders his wealth and ends up living like a slave, barely able to feed himself to stay alive. He returns to his father, expecting to be received as a servant, which would be better than dying of starvation. His dad receives him well and celebrates his return, while the faithful brother is angered by all of this. The father engages the angered brother and says: “I celebrate my son for he has returned. What’s mine is yours, you have been with me all along and I am glad.”

Acknowledging disparity in the world today, one might ask how valuable it is to have a father looking out for you. The following questions about the story might provide some answers through analysis.

Where would the first son be if the father had left when the brothers were young? Where would the second son be?

I reason that in the worst case, the first son would have ruined his life beyond repair without guidance from his father growing up. In the best case, he would have survived by the skin of his teeth. The second brother in the worst case might never have been taught diligence and obedience and may have gotten lost along the way. At best, he probably would have been just fine.

Where would the first son be if the father died when he was away from his country? Where would the second son be?

The first son may have ventured home and found his angry brother awaiting him. His brother may have been kind or he could have cast him out. If he had heard news of his father’s death while he was away, there may never have been a return home and demise might have met the slave. The second son likely would have mourned his dad and would live, having acquired the wealth of his father. There’s also a high chance that he never would have learnt an important lesson that was taught him about acceptance.

From the story, a father is critical in two situations:
1) Forming a son and showing him which way to go.
2) Being there when his son hits rock bottom.

Did you have a father who was there and who showed you which way to go? Was your dad available when you hit rock bottom? I believe that a father should be a father to many, not just to their blood sons. I’m trying to be that guy at age 29 because my heart breaks for those who never had, but I can only do so much. I’m reaching out to all men to say that it’s never too late to start being a dad.

presentcoviddad postcoviddad