Dad's Day......

At the end of this week, most will celebrate the "Dad's" in their lives and spend a few hours thanking them for all they do for the family and for being the infamous "#1 Dad" and millions of men will walk around in those shirts and hats that shout their #1 status to the world. Or at least the local McDonalds, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, and Autozones. As I reflect on this particular day being a dad of 2 and one on the way, I think about the status dad's have in society and it is so disappointing to know that in reality, we dad's are viewed in a more negative light then positive at times. Now there are some breakthroughs and some dad's who are talked about and boasted in the world and rightly so. However as our past has shown us, dad's are more absent in the lives of their children and the home. Single mothers have held this burden for so many years and it shows everyday. Look at a football game when the camera is on the players on the sidelines, they smile real big and say "Hi Mom!!" The card section at the stores for Mother's Day take up 2 full racks and Father's Day is a small section. When it comes to children at the school, Doctor's office, or any other place both parents could show up at, it is the mom they are talking to and the dad is the after thought. God called Adam to lead his home and when he surrendered that leadership out of order, they both fell from Grace. On Mother's Day, the malls are filled, stores are torn apart by family members trying to buy that special gift for Mom to let her know she is the greatest!! They prepare breakfast in bed, dinner at a nice restaurant, gifts, flowers, massages, and a favorite event. Even church's reference Mothers Day as a specific day that wayward members show up. They call these members C.M.E. members. Christmas, Mother's Day and Easter. Why? Cause on Father's Day...church is a normal day, and the family doesn't seem to flock to church for this "special day". Many of us will look back on our own fathers in sadness for the lack of leadership and guidance they provided, if they were even there. They always use the same excuse as well. "I just want you to be better then me." With the bar being set so low, we can not fail....can we? The Truth of the matter is this....families need dad's, and dad's need to step up and know their roll in the family. God called Adam to tend to the land God created and all that was in the land. The bible tells us that Eve was created as a "helpmate" to Adam. So what that tells me is Dad's are suppose to take care of all the needs of the home and family and the moms are suppose to be there as a helpmate. In other words, it is not the moms "duty" to clean, cook, do laundry, grocery shop, and take care of the kids with school, bathing, bed time, and all the many needs they will have. It is the dad's responsibility to take care of all that and mom is there to help. Statistics show that when fathers lead their family to church, over 90% of families are successful and follow in the church. When fathers lead families, daughters have an image of the type of man they should look for and sons see the type of man they should become. Wife's are encouraged and supportive and feel safe behind a man who leads them. When Fathers lead the home and do what God has called them to do, the home is blessed and becomes a blessing to others, doors are opened that would not otherwise be open. On this Father's Day, the challenge is out there to all father's. Are you doing what God has called you to do? Are the being the husband that God called you to be? Are you being the Father that God has called you to be? God has given us a tremendous example of how to be a father and so many tools to use to accomplish this. If we follow His examples...."He will never leave us, nor forsake us" "He loves us" "He will make a way out of no way". If we follow His example of unconditional love and guidance, our families would be set for a amazing future. On this Father's Day....take your positions as Father's and raise your children according to the word of God and provide for them, lead them, nurture them, and tell them you love them by words and action. If you do this...you will not look for a new T-shirt or tie. You will not get your hopes up for a set of new golf clubs, (though it would be great!!) you will not worry about a new set of tools or any other gift. Your reward comes from the love you receive from your wife and children everyday and the assurance of God's blessings on your home. Your reward is greater than any gift you could receive of monetary value. Father's Day should be a day that the whole family gets excited for because it is a day set aside specifically for dad, the man of the house, a man who should take joy in working hard to provide and secure his family, no matter the cost. If you do this, you will not need to wait on the "#1 Dad" T-shirt from your kids...you can go buy it yourself!! Happy Fathers Day.