Children require both a noun and verb father

www.americanthinker.com

Early on in the game, crossword puzzle players learn that a synonym called for may be either a noun or a verb. For example, if 5-down is “father,” the answer may be “papa” (noun) or “sire” (verb). As a crossword puzzle addict, I’m aware the word “father” appears frequently in such puzzles. The noun “papa” represents a long-term vocation and commitment, whereas the verb “sire” is a momentary and passing action.

Unfortunately, today in real life, the verb “sire” is more often used than the noun “papa.” More children are fathered -- actually sired -- than are receiving the love, guidance and care of a father.

Many years ago, a young woman in her mid-thirties confided in me that she felt the depression she was experiencing and for which she was receiving professional treatment was rooted in the fact that deep down she wanted a child. She is currently single. In our conversation, I expressed to her the need to find a decent husband and the need for a good marriage. Her first marriage was a fiasco. To my surprise, she replied that she just wanted a child; she didn’t want a husband or to be married. I responded that fathers and their unique role model are very important to a child’s stability – the emotional, mental, and spiritual welfare of a child.

Oddly enough, that very same evening on a popular television sitcom, a T.V. anchorwoman was panicking over her biological time clock ticking away. She decided she wanted to have a baby. In the story, she tried to enlist the help of a male colleague. She did not want marriage, and she did not want him to parent or to help with the parenting of the child. Basically, she only wanted him to sire the baby.

In one day, I realized what a put-down men, and especially fathers, are receiving. If there are any castoffs today in our society, fathers are fast taking the lead in this modern-day tragedy. Some personally choose to absent themselves from their offspring and responsibilities. Others are forced offstage in their children’s lives by women who prefer to be selfish and to go it alone. Pity the family and “suffer the little children”!

I confess that, growing up, I was a “daddy’s girl.” I can’t imagine growing up without the love, concern, input, and discipline of a father. This will surely date me, but one of my favorite hit songs was Eddie Fisher’s (Who was he?!) “O Mein Papa.” The gist of the song was, “To me he was so wonderful... Gone are the days when he would take me on his knee, and with a smile, he changed my tears to laughter. O mein papa...” Further on in the song, he sang that “He was so gentle, kind, and loving.” Crossword puzzles may require either a verb or a noun for “father,” but children require both; and they need a large dose of the noun, that loving, committed man!

With Father’s Day before us, those of us who are Christian have an opportunity to affirm the importance of fathers and fatherhood as a high calling and vocation for men. God chose for us to consider Him addressing Him as Our loving heavenly Father. His desire is that our earthly fathers also be loving and be loved, as they so much deserve.

“Honor your father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you.” (Exodus 20: 12) This is the first commandment with promise.