Recent studies continue to demonstrate the positive connection between having a father in the home and the influence that father’s can have on child development.
The presence of a father in the home positivity correlates with higher levels of sociability, confidence, and self-control in children. Children with involved fathers are less likely to act out in school or engage in risky behaviors in adolescence.
The Family: A Proclamation to the World states that: “By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families.”
In Maurice Harker’s book, “I’m NOT Okay, You’re NOT Okay, but THAT’S Okay” he outlines the three concepts of what it means to preside, provide, and protect.
For me, it was the realization that my family needs me to be there.
My family needs me to be there physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually in order to help safeguard their feelings and experiences enough to allow a good environment for growth and reflection.
I hope we, as men, understand the influence we can have upon the world as we seek to preside, provide, and protect those around us.
The world needs good men.
We need men to step up to the calling of being better husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons.
One of the saddest societal trends is that a high bar for a good guy now days is simply that he’s “nice”.
Should that not be a standard?
I hope that expectations can be raised a little higher.
Perhaps, we start by continuing to recognize and praise those men that have left a positive impact on our lives. I think of Christ, I think of our Heavenly Father, and I think of my father and the legacy he sought to instill within me.
To those men seeking to be better and to those who are trying to honor, respect, and uplift others and the women in their lives I say “thank you.”
Thank you for making a difference that is sometimes only recognized behind closed doors. Thank you for being an influence for the better.
I want to issue a challenge to all others to take the time to thank the good men in your lives that are trying to preside, provide, and protect in the best way they know possible with the knowledge that they have.
Written by Brandon Nite, APSW, MSW graduate, Northwest Nazarene University. You can reach Brandon at bnitetherapy@gmail.com.
