The Importance of Fathers

Father's Day is here and I can't help but reflect on how crucial a father's role is in raising little human beings. Correct me if I'm wrong but it seems that society and media usually focus on the importance of moms, more than of dads. While motherhood could be called a "noble profession," we need to look at being a mother AND a father as more of "divine vocations."

Admittedly, while I was growing up, I felt closer to my mom and, I'm ashamed to say, felt that I loved her more than my dad. You see, Papa was the authoritarian-type of parent, the one who commanded your utmost obedience. He was also a very short-tempered man and I faintly remember how my siblings and I would tremble in fear whenever his rage would get the better of him.

Don't get me wrong though - I totally love my dad. Super love him, in fact! When I was in my teens, Papa and Mama came to know God's love through a Christian Life Program organized by Couples for Christ (CFC). The change in both of them, especially in Papa, did not come about overnight but there was definitely something different. We started praying more as a family, and by God's grace, our relationships eventually improved. Papa mellowed down and has since become one of my greatest confidantes and staunchest allies.

As I write this, my dad is probably getting ready to leave their house to go to the CFC Global Mission Center, where he will conduct training sessions for CFC members from different countries. Papa has been serving the Lord full-time since 2004 (or is it 2003? Sorry, please forgive my faulty memory!) and we even got to go on mission together - him, Mama, me, my husband, our kids - in Timor Leste.

Papa's transformation and how it changed the lives of my siblings and I only goes to show that when we strive to put God first in our lives, especially our families, things will definitely get better.

Of course, I can't write about fathers without mentioning my own dear husband, Anthony, the father of my three children. Recently, I wrote a post on WorldMomsBlog.com where I talked about how supportive and loving he is, and how I doubt I could have survived the past weeks of caring for our youngest child, who is recovering from illness that has been hounding her since birth, without him. (You can read more about our baby on www.trulyrichmom.com if you want.)

I also can't imagine how it would be like if Anthony wasn't my partner in raising our kids. You see, it seems that I, too, have a bit of a temper, just like my Papa used to have. On most days, you'll find me raising my voice a bit too much at my kids, or snapping irritably at them for disturbing the baby. In times like these, it is Anthony who tries to calm me down and remind me to be patient (the keyword is "tries," because there are moments when we're both not acting ideally as parents at the same time).

Lately, with the new baby and all, he's also taken over a lot of the tasks that I used to be in charge of: managing the household, making sure there's food in the house, overseeing our (new) helpers, decluttering what needs to be decluttered (or at least attempting to do so), balancing the budget, paying the bills, and so on. Not once have I heard him complain when, after a full day at the office, he'll come home only to be asked to leave again because this or that needs to be bought or done for the house and the kids.

I know each family has its own rhythm and way of doing things. Whatever those may be though, I believe the importance of the father should never be forgotten. If I may be bold enough, may I just say that the father's roles - to be the pastor, protector and provider of his family - should be something that we mothers (as their partners) and society as a whole should help him fulfill. We must also show our appreciation of the fathers in our lives, especially our own fathers and the fathers of our children. After all, the world, and our families, wouldn't be complete without them.

To all the dads reading this, may you know that you are truly loved and appreciated. May our Father in heaven inspire, guide and empower you to truly live out your roles as pastors, protectors and providers. Happy Father's Day!