Pratt: Fathers are a crucial influence in their role
Birthdays are counted year by year with a possible exception for a first child, which is likely to be noted first in weeks, then months until that second landmark birthday observance.
Celebrations are captive to the family cultures into which we are born, as are “coming-of-age" ceremonies or events and later, weddings.
Location and the predominant religious affiliations, or lack thereof, also shape the cultural practices of family expectations and celebrations. Without a sense of family that helps build self-esteem and teaches responsibility, society becomes little more than a contest for survival.
The father at our house received a Hallmark Father's Day card this week from son No. 3 that pretty much summarizes the importance of the father-son connection:
“Imagine a bike with no pedals...a car with no tires...a train without any track...or a trolley without any wires...A ship with no rudder...a plane with no prop...Then you can imagine what I would be like if I didn't have you for a Pop!”
Thus, it becomes fairly easy to trace the disintegration of a dying culture. For example, some couples today opt for having children before they have a marriage ceremony.
All too often fathers disappear, leaving mothers to support the child or children on her own without the guidance of two committed parents, and often without any means of financial support.
Unfortunately, the speed of today's evolving changes leaves little time for reflection.
Perhaps that is part of the reason people choose chaos today, preferring to vent their frustration rather than to work at problem solving.
Others are simply looking for some kind of meaning in a directionless life and choose anarchy by default.
When each person becomes a law unto themselves out of parental absence or neglect, the result is predictable. Fueled by a rage of confusion, young adolescents are easily led into a destructive path of theft, drug dealing and murderous violence on city streets.
Having little connection or understanding of human history, they become easy prey for those who would rule with the iron fist of tyranny, which has enslaved people from the beginning of civilization. We are not immune to such a harsh future.
There is no short-cut to freedom without responsibility and work. The literature of the ages gives voice to the failed schemes of evil, warning those who are prosperous to share with the unfortunate as a reflection of God's great love for humanity.
It is within the family unit that we first learn how to work and live together in helpfulness and harmony.
It is not difficult to see that the failures, indeed the disregard or absence of parental guidance, is a major threat in today's “free love” climate that views sex as changeable choice, nothing more than a form of recreation and experimentation.
Rather than children experiencing a protection and connection of humanity committed into the care and presence of God, they are often abandoned to Satan, who whispers his evil intentions to corrupt what is holy to achieve the destruction of all humanity.
We cannot go backward to correct wrongs of the past. We have only today to change our way forward. Yesterday really is gone. We have no guarantee that tomorrow will arrive.
Fathers are a crucial influence in their role as protector of the family, as important as mothers, so today, say a prayer that all fathers will fulfill their God-designed role as protector of their family.
Beth Pratt retired as religion editor from the Avalanche-Journal after 25 years. You can email her at beth.pratt@cheerful.com.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Pratt: Fathers are a crucial influence in their role
