Dearly beloved fathers,
Granted, your young son is not your friend. Such a status he must earn. Nwata kwaka ọfuma, o soro okonye rienri. Being his father’s friend must be the joy set before him. It naturally follows that his father ought to be a man of high standards: a man of little to no compromise. Above all, his father should be consistent in speech and in deeds.
Nevertheless, a boy ought to receive his father’s love freely. As Jordan Peterson clearly points out, “If your father rejects you or doesn’t form a relationship with you, it’s as if the spirit of civilisation has left you outside the wall, as of little worth.” This love shall not flow through the funnels of performance and achievements, for what is home but a place bursting with love for the boy, irrespective of virtues, vices, performances or achievements. Here he is bare-bottomed and unashamed. Though he may err, foolishness may overrun him, yet he is never wrong. To borrow a leaf from Rev. Chris Devan, “My son is never wrong.”
Jesus Christ is famously remembered for many signs and wonders, yet he is seldom remembered as being baptised. Since the baptism in itself was to fulfil all righteousness, the details of the ceremony hold insights into His successful ministry. Here we see that His Father declares Him His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased. This is highly relevant, as Jesus had not yet performed any miracles and had not yet overcome any temptations at this point. All that heralded the purpose of His coming had yet been achieved, but His Father granted Him the assurances of His love.
As such, Jesus, while on earth, lived from the place of His Father’s love. Little wonder He didn’t miss the mark. Fathers, your sons should never feel the absence of your love. Understand that a son is an excellent machine that runs on his father’s love. The lack thereof tends to cause malfunctions. When boys grow without the assurances of their fathers’ love, dysfunction sets in, and the aimless wandering of the earth, which ultimately leads to death, becomes the result.
This is not a call to vain repetitive speech. Forgive me if this is an over explanation, but I sometimes find myself dealing with stupid men. These are men who take their responsibilities lightly because they cannot conceptualise that their manhood is a symbol of grave trust from the Divine to maintain, grow, and pass on His creation. Dearly beloved fathers, to fail at fatherhood is to have failed at all things.
Member,
Fathers on a Mission.
