From the moment the man comes in union with his bride witnessed by God and sealed with His blessing, it opens him up to a whole new set of responsibilities. Fending not only for himself but for his wife and the kids they may conceive surely yields unfathomable uncertainty.
The father serves as the family’s source of strength and so he has to maintain a facade of stability when the family’s boat is shaken by adversities. Their role is indispensable so much that they’re called the foundations or pillars of the family.
This June, we celebrate Fathers Day, but fathers around the world deserve the props all year long. To pay homage to their incredible work and sacrifices at least this day, we impart wisdom from fathers in Christian history, whose experiences don’t differ at all to fathers of today, in an attempt to console and uplift them. God gently reminds all fathers out there that you are capable in rearing God-centered families.
1 Timothy 5:8 says "Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."
The statement may come as strong but, this reassures dads or those who take the provider role who want nothing but only the best for their families and so work extra hard to keep them sheltered and sufficiently fed, send the kids to school, and give them everything they need with all means are awesome and it pleases the Lord that you are living selflessly.
Proverbs 22:6 also says to “Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Parents play a godly role in implanting seeds of good values in their children just before they face society and eventually becoming part of it.
In relation to this, King Solomon, in Proverbs 13:24 shares practical advice: “Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” To lead your children to the path of righteousness takes gentleness too that they may not resent you and they look up to you as a good example. All fathers are capable of this and if anyone is in doubt, heeding the words in the Bible is always a good starting point.
Moses, in Deuteronomy 6:6–7, embodies a father of faith just when he imparted God’s Ten Commandments to his people: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”
Moses reminds us that just as important is for a father to remain steadfast in his faith in God for he will be his children’s source of strength no matter what problem life throws at them: “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.” - Proverbs 14:26
Perhaps there is no better Bible story that encapsulates a father’s unending love than that of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:20-24. The father welcomed back with open arms his son who had gone astray, the ultimate gesture of a father’s unrelenting acceptance of his responsibility. Ushering him back home means he never gives up no matter how hard the cross he took upon himself is--to be a lifelong guide to his children.