What the Media Seems to Get That We Sometimes Miss - Dads

This afternoon I just watched the movie 10,000BC. I know, I know, it’s not the stuff of War and Peace and it’s not likely to win an Oscar. But hey, it’s my kind of movie, the good guys win, bad guys lose and in the end, the guy gets the girl. As the story goes, a young hunter from a small tribe is raised up to lead his people, and several other tribes against a cruel tribe that has been capturing and enslaving the other tribes. This young man’s father was a tribal leader but left the tribe when the young hunter was just a boy. Rumor was that the father was a coward and had abandoned his tribe. In truth however he was a great leader and left for noble reasons. Throughout this young warrior’s life, he was limited, even cursed by the image he held of his father. When the young man came to discover the truth about his dad, that his dad was in fact a noble warrior and leader, the young man was empowered. There was a great line in the movie where an older tribal leader looked the young man in the eye and said, “Go be like your father!”

See, even the movie makers seem to understand the power of a father image. Psychologists, counselors and therapists certainly understand this…heck they make their living off of people who struggle with their own self-image due to the absence of a father or perhaps the presence of a dad growing up that wasn’t there emotionally. Fathers make or break their sons and daughters. At least that is far too often the case. Yet the culture wants to play down the incredible importance of a strong father who is actively involved in his children’s life. No offense to Rosie O’Donnell and other celebs who decide to raise a child without a dad in the picture. But kids need a dad. Certainly there are millions of single moms out there who would give anything to have a dad active in their children’s lives. Our hats and hearts go out to them. But I’m not writing to those who don’t have a dad in the picture as if to somehow make them feel bad. God says He will be a Father to the fatherless. No, I’m writing to dads…as a reminder that you have this amazing opportunity to have that significant, meaningful life you so desire. It doesn’t come from how much money you make or how many people you have reporting to you…It comes from you being there for your kids. It comes from you not giving up on yourself or them. It comes from you being consistent in loving your sons and daughters not just when they bring home “A’s” but when they’re sassy or wreck the family car or fail to pick up their room or strike out even in T-Ball. So go ahead, be the kind of man, the kind of father that people will want to turn to your children and say, “Be like your father.”