the fall of fatherhood
today was rough. more appropriately, it was impressively disappointing.
as myself and thirty or so other co-workers gathered at a nurturing fathers training this morning, i can pretty confidently say that none of us expected to spend the next seven hours unraveling how our fathers shaped our childhood. it was explicit. it was painful. it was deeply emotional.
did you that from 1960 to 2005, fatherless homes tripled from 8 to 24 million?
did you know that 1 out of every 3 children in our nation lives in a fatherless home?
throughout the day i listened as co-workers shared their stories of triumph and struggle, of joy and sadness. as each person shared, it was obvious something was wrong...while the group was sprinkled with a few stories of committed, loving fathers, most were filled with painful reminisces of fear, violence, or absence. as i listened and nodded in agreement, i could hear the words that i have sung so many times before ring crystal clear...
it is amazing how the words and actions of one man can mean so much. being a father of substance is important...so much of a child's self-worth, self-esteem, value, and character are dictated by not just the presence of a father, but one who dotes upon, engages with, invests in, and loves on his children. an involved father gives his children more than the basics to survive; his loving involvement provides his children with reduced juvenile delinquency, reduced risky behaviors, stronger verbal skills and mathematical competency, deeper empathy, better problem solving and critical thinking skills, increased social awareness and ability to negotiate conflict, and reduced overall stress.
earlier this year i read tim tebow's biography in which he candidly shared stories from his own family. i found the depth of their relationships both inspiring and frustrating. his very presence was driven by prayer; as bob tebow cried out to god, 'if you want to give me timmy, i will raise him up to preach your name.' how incredible is that...?!? to know that your father, your family, was praying for you by name even before you were born.
i am envious of the unity and love within his family. it is incredible to think that any grown man, if offered the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, would choose to go home to their family. this is the family i, and i am quite sure, so many others longs for...
the issue of positive fatherhood involvement has even become a national initiative...check out obama's press conference on the privilege of being a father:
for more information go to:
www.fatherhood.org
being a father is a privilege, not a right. being a father means finding the balance of gentleness and strength, of pride and humility, and of firmness and flexibility. may every father, every day, share that their love is unconditional, in word and action...your children's lives depend on it. take a moment today to sing or dance with your child, hug them, listen to them, laugh with them, play their favorite game or teach them yours...no more hitting, no more yelling, no more ignoring, no more hurtful words, no more no time, no more, no more, no more. your love is worth more than any other 'thing' you think you have to offer.
as myself and thirty or so other co-workers gathered at a nurturing fathers training this morning, i can pretty confidently say that none of us expected to spend the next seven hours unraveling how our fathers shaped our childhood. it was explicit. it was painful. it was deeply emotional.
did you that from 1960 to 2005, fatherless homes tripled from 8 to 24 million?
did you know that 1 out of every 3 children in our nation lives in a fatherless home?
throughout the day i listened as co-workers shared their stories of triumph and struggle, of joy and sadness. as each person shared, it was obvious something was wrong...while the group was sprinkled with a few stories of committed, loving fathers, most were filled with painful reminisces of fear, violence, or absence. as i listened and nodded in agreement, i could hear the words that i have sung so many times before ring crystal clear...
it is amazing how the words and actions of one man can mean so much. being a father of substance is important...so much of a child's self-worth, self-esteem, value, and character are dictated by not just the presence of a father, but one who dotes upon, engages with, invests in, and loves on his children. an involved father gives his children more than the basics to survive; his loving involvement provides his children with reduced juvenile delinquency, reduced risky behaviors, stronger verbal skills and mathematical competency, deeper empathy, better problem solving and critical thinking skills, increased social awareness and ability to negotiate conflict, and reduced overall stress.
earlier this year i read tim tebow's biography in which he candidly shared stories from his own family. i found the depth of their relationships both inspiring and frustrating. his very presence was driven by prayer; as bob tebow cried out to god, 'if you want to give me timmy, i will raise him up to preach your name.' how incredible is that...?!? to know that your father, your family, was praying for you by name even before you were born.
i am envious of the unity and love within his family. it is incredible to think that any grown man, if offered the opportunity to go anywhere in the world, would choose to go home to their family. this is the family i, and i am quite sure, so many others longs for...
the issue of positive fatherhood involvement has even become a national initiative...check out obama's press conference on the privilege of being a father:
for more information go to:
www.fatherhood.org
being a father is a privilege, not a right. being a father means finding the balance of gentleness and strength, of pride and humility, and of firmness and flexibility. may every father, every day, share that their love is unconditional, in word and action...your children's lives depend on it. take a moment today to sing or dance with your child, hug them, listen to them, laugh with them, play their favorite game or teach them yours...no more hitting, no more yelling, no more ignoring, no more hurtful words, no more no time, no more, no more, no more. your love is worth more than any other 'thing' you think you have to offer.
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