Leadership and responsibility in our communities require mastering the Art of Fatherhood. As a father, on this Father's Day, I recognize the strong influence that fathers have on their children. Everything my sons learn or do not learn is a direct reflection of my fathering. Often times, when I have questions, I will ask my own father, older men in my church who are fathers, men in my community who are fathers, or friends who are fathers. I have found that the art of fatherhood is just that - an art. There are no scientific rules that say if you do A+B+C then your children will behave like D.
The art of fatherhood requires constant prayer, adjustment, and flexibility. Each day I find myself praying for wisdom to be the father that my sons need and require. Each day I find myself finding ways to instill discipline and help my sons understand the values and morals that will make them good men one day. Each day I find myself learning that it is not my words that make the greatest impact, but my actions that make an impression on what morals and values are important to Jarius, Xavier, and Caleb. If I do not respect my wife, my sons learn not respect women. If I do not attend to my spiritual, mental, and physical well being - my sons do not see any reason to ensure they have a healthily spirit, mind, and body. How I lead and guide my sons today impacts not just their future, but everyone who they will come into contact with in the future. Their future wives, their future children, their future grandchildren, and their future great grandchildren. It all begins with my ability to father - now.
On this Father's Day, I am grateful to be a father. I am grateful to have a father. I am grateful to know some very good friends and relatives who are fathers.
Most of all, I thank God for giving me the gift and privilege of the art of Fatherhood.
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