Do we have one father? If so, who is that father? Is he a father of truth or lies? How do we know him? These questions crossed my mind as I came home from the church service this morning; therefore, I decided to write a short blog on this topic.
Sigmund Freud, the founder of psychoanalysis and neurologist stated that “I cannot think of any need in childhood as strong as the need for a father’s protection.” According to Webster’s dictionary the word “father,” a male parent is both a verb and a noun.
As we know that fathering a child or fatherhood has many responsibilities. In fact, on this Father’s Day, a child who is blessed with father is celebrating the day with joy; on the contrary, for a fatherless child, it is a very sad day.
Based on my readings and observations, “fatherlessness” has become one of the social problems in the world. For instance, the extent of fatherlessness in the United States of America (USA) can be verified by the U.S. Census Bureau data.
According to the National Center for Fathering (NCF), “72.2% of the U.S. population, fatherlessness is the most significant family or social problem facing America.” The NCF also stated based on the U.S. Census Bureau data that an estimated 24.7 million children (33%) in the USA live absent their biological father.
As per the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2009, 7.8 million children lived with at least one grandparent, and many children who do not live with a parent live with a grandparent. More than half of the children living with no parents were living with grandparents.
As we can imagine based on this data as to how a fatherless child is going through emotional and psychological hardships in his or her life from childhood. Are there any solutions for this family and social problem? Who can resolve these issues?
In my opinion, no one can help to eradicate this social disease other than the One who created us. He is the “Father” of all the earthly fathers and fatherless children. He is the God of the Holy Bible. In order to know this Father, one must believe in Him and His word. Otherwise, the “father of lies,” the devil (John 8:44-47 NIV), who already separated these families, will continue to destroy the generations.
God of the Bible is a true Father; therefore, King David stated that our God is “a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families; he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land (Ps. 68:5-6 NIV).”
Believers of this Father know that He takes care all His children; therefore, He said “for the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing (Deu. 17-18 NKJV).”
According to God’s word, we have one Father, and “we know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.
We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (1 Jn.5:19-20 NKJV).”
On this Fathers Day let us be mindful of fatherless children in the world, and help them to know and understand through our words and deeds that we have one Father who created all of us will provide our needs including the eternal life through His Son Jesus Christ.
Let us thank God for providing us earthly fathers who believed in Him so that we can follow in their footsteps. Shalom!