Who_be_The_Ideal_Daddy_of_The_Year!

#Who_be_The_Ideal_Daddy_of_The_Year!
#Fathers_Day
“Anyone can be a father, but it takes a real man to be a daddy,” Anonymous.

So, Father’s Day is loading in just a few. I have a blend of feelings and emotions about it but for now, I’ll shelve expressing it. Who is a father and what’s father’s day all about? Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. By the way, is there a difference between Dad and Father? Merriam Webster defines a father as a “Man who has begotten a child.” Dad on the other hand is “An informal word for father” (Collins Dictionary). It’s assumed that the word dad originated from baby’s first cry, ‘dada.’ Simply, dad and father are synonymous; however, dad implies affection and familiar relationship with a child. Fathers can share the DNA with the child, but may not share responsibility in the child’s growth and development. An ideal father is one who besides fathering a child; he is involved in the child’s holistic growth and development. Fathering is an act of nature, in fact is it easier to become a father, even unintentionally, but it’s much harder to be fatherly, affectionate and be in a familiar relationship with a child.

I came across this on the internet, “A father is someone who believes that by donating his sperm for your creation, he has done his duty in life.” Ouch! That is a sad truth; however, some fathers deserve a round of applause. Today’s society is divided and ambivalent about fatherhood idea. Based on childhood experiences and relationship to our fathers, some people don’t even remember fatherhood-consciously and/or unconsciously. Others get offended by the mere mention of fatherhood. Still, some neglect and/or disdain it; others are not opposed to fatherhood neither are they committed to it. Dear fathers, even as we celebrate you, I wish to remind you that your duty as a father doesn’t end in being a progenitor to that child. Fatherhood is divine in origin. It’s a 24/7 work which requires sacrifice; and the most indispensable work as a father is to be a man of God to your children and to turn their hearts to their heavenly Father.

Now, who is and what are the characteristics of an ideal daddy? Well, personally I missed out on the fatherliness figure in my early childhood, adolescence and now in my prime time but at least I have a vision of the kind of daddy I covet my children to have. (Dear future hubby, I pray you are reading this from wherever you are.) Come with me and let’s take a keen look at one ideal daddy in the Bible. This daddy is none other than Job. As we celebrate Father’s day-the ideal father of the year, let’s look at these characteristics:

1. An ideal daddy of the year has a good reputation, (Job 1:1).
 He is blameless, upright, fears God and shuns evil. What a testimony! Dear fathers, as we celebrate you, remember to practice these things: fear God and shun evil. Do not neglect the testimony of your reputation in your children’s lives.
2. An ideal daddy of the year has a complete family and is the greatest among all men, (v. 2-3).
 What? Ok, don’t panic, this has nothing to do with wealth but it’s about the quality of life. Do not neglect the influence of quality of your life on your family and the people around you.
3. An ideal daddy of the year is socially involved with his children, (v.4).
 Awwww, imagine all your children coming together in fellowship and feating! Please daddy, cultivate this fellowship, its crucial. It is sad there are siblings that can’t see eye to eye and daddy can’t do anything.
4. An ideal daddy of the year takes up the priestly responsibility and is involved in the spiritual lives of his children, (v.5).
 Daddy Job understood the egotism of youth, he wasn’t ignorant of the bad choices his children could make while in the feasting; he was concerned they might curse God in their hearts. So, he made arrangements for their cleansing and early in the morning he made a burnt sacrifice for each.
 Wow! An ideal daddy is concerned about the salvation of his children and their spiritual wellbeing. Dear fathers, do not neglect the influence of righteous living in your family. Build godly character in your children’s lives.
 Be involved in their spiritual life, like Job and also Elkanah, serve God together with your children; train them to worship God appropriately and also apportion them individual portions for sacrifice to God, (1 Samuel 1:4,21).
5. An ideal daddy is resolute in faith, worships and is faithful even in the face of tragedy and spiritual test, (v.6-22).
 Daddy, your motivation for God shouldn’t be based on God’s blessings upon your life. Let your children know that you love God for who He is not for what you have.
 Should tragedy hit you right left and centre; should your loved ones forsake you, just know that it is natural to be emotionally broken. Don’t be embarrassed to cry. I know my African culture says that a real man does not cry, but I personally don’t subscribe to that thought. It is natural to feel broken and grief stricken, do not withhold natural responses.
 However, even if/when you are emotionally broken, your faith can still remain resolute. It’s not easy but God’s grace is enough for you. In your brokenness, do not curse God, but remember to worship Him and stay faithful. Do not neglect the influence of your worship and resolute faith and faithfulness to God.

Finally, dear fathers, you don’t have to be supermen. But all I ask and pray for you is that your reputation, greatness/quality of life, social and spiritual involvement, priestly responsibility and resolute faith, worship and faithfulness will have an influence on your children.

Happy Father’s Day,

Yours faithful scribbler,
NzakuNashipae