Daddies, Happy Father’s Day But Dare To Be A Jairus!
There is no denying the fact that everyone has a hero. Such hero may be a character in a novel, a historical figure, a celebrity, an entrepreneur. Sure, everyone has quite a number of role models, but the true hero which most people are deeply attached to, emotionally, are their dads. The reason for the foregoing cannot be farfetched because from the beginning, in everyone’s best moments and his or her worst moments, Fathers, through the responsibilities God bestowed on them have been there guiding and protecting them.
In fact, 10 things the scripture says about being a father are explanatory enough for anyone to understand who a father is. For instance, a father is the first teacher of his child (Proverbs 22:6), because it is the responsibility of the father to exemplify a good life to his child (2 Cor. 3:2-3), and he has the responsibility of providing for his family (I Tim. 5:8), even as it is his inalienable duty to discipline his children (Proverbs 13: 24) and also expected to spend time with their children, and it is not empty time (Deut. 6: 6-9).
In a similar vein, a father is expected to always show compassion to his children as Psalm 103:13 says: “So the LORD has compassion.” In performing all the foregoing fatherly roles, he is scripturally instructed, “Don’t provoke your children (Ephesians 6:4). Again, Fathers are also instructed to never give up on their kids as exemplified in the story of “The Prodigal Son” (Luke 15:20-24); It is the story of a father who never gives up hope and is ready to receive his child back with open arms. The story instructs fathers that they can discipline their children as they can be held accountable for doing so. In fact, the story urged them to never give up. And the most important of all, fathers pray for their children (1 Chronicles 29:19). In fact, they are the pastors in every household.
It is truly hard to sum up people’s feelings on a day like this. How can anyone thank his dad enough for his sacrifice, patience and support? Personally, appreciation for my father goes back a long time...
Though he is no more with us, as he has transited to eternal glory, growing up, my daddy of blessed memory told me and my twin sister that we could do anything we put our collective mind to. During our moments of self-doubt, he helped us see that our qualities were not weaknesses, but strengths. He told us we were special, worthy and taught us to always put our best foot forward.
Our daddy was wont to express his pride and acceptance of us and our siblings. I mean those things a kid sometimes needs to hear when they grow up facing so much pressure from peers or societal expectations, and I am so thankful for those words. But what is more important is that he didn’t just tell us, he showed us. His actions meant everything in the world and that’s why his blessed memory will never obliterate from my subconscious.
Against the foregoing backdrop, I, Sandra Ijeoma Okoye greets all fathers who are by the grace of God alive today to mark the Father’s Day, whether you are a biological, step or spiritual dad. As most of us are aware, fathers play a critical role in the lives of their children, and more men need to rise up and allow children to see them in action so they can be encouraged to realize their potential. For some people, it is challenging to rise up because they did not have biological fathers who showed them how to be good fathers. However, God understands, and many times He brings a male figure into the lives of people to father them in the area that they need. These surrogate fathers come across as husbands, teachers, pastors, uncles, or neighbors. He also gave us many examples in the Bible of good fathers we can emulate.
To fathers in the Christendom today, it is expedient to urge them to commence emulating the virtues of Jairus as his lifestyle is encouraging, as conveyed by the bible. Jairus was a good father whose child had died. But he did not give up, and because of his love, determination and dedication, his child was raised from the dead. From his story, fathers are encouraged to be strong in character and against societal norms.
In fact, fathers must be strong in faith for their children, ensure that they are in the right company, and petition Jesus on their behalf. When children see their fathers petitioning Jesus for them, it shows them how much they are loved by their fathers. Jairus was not ashamed to express his love toward his daughter. His love for her boosted him from her side to seek out Jesus, and it compelled him to fall at His feet crying out, “I beg you, please come.” This love causes him to forget his place in society and what others might think or say to seek help for her. This is a love that says, “I will do what I have to do, go where I have to go, to see that my child is made whole.” In fact fathers need to love their children in this same way.
As we celebrate Father’s Day today, God is calling on all fathers to become more like Jairus. Fathers of today should rise up and be the committed, strong, loving fathers that their children need and deserve.
To all the fathers, happy Father’s Day. I, Sandra Ijeoma Okoye, honor and appreciate you for your strength, hard work, faith, commitment and love. Congratulations for working diligently to be good fathers and for any way in which you are fathering the next generation and encouraging them to be all that they can be. Be that as it may, I am through this medium urging fathers to dare to be a Jairus.
Sandra Ijeoma Okoye (Author)