Materialism is slowly taking its roots in our families endangering our relationship with one another. Many fathers claim to be a good provider to their families when they materially support them. But a Christian father does not only provide his family with new appliances, clothing, food, shelter and money. Of course these are basic needs. However, a good father provides values as well as that are life giving and more than the material security he rings. A Christian father offers security to his family. When life seems to be difficult, he remains to be the source of strength in the home. He teaches his children and passes on his own wisdom to them through words and good examples. He always seeks what will be good for his family. Thus, he remains faithful to his wife and children. Mutual fidelity, trust and understanding are means to ensure a family fully alive in God’s grace and love. A father makes home the best place to live in.

Fathers are meant to serve as role models to their children. In time, that we lack virtuous people to emulate, fathers are called to become a towering example of good values and virtues to their children. As such, A Christian father should be a living witness of the gospel of love. Though this statement has been repeated again and again, fathers should never stop striving to become the role model of the family. Being a role model means a man of action. A father should live his principles and actualize it in his daily living.

In the book I am currently reading right now that dealt with the issue of Christianity and Incest, I was horrified reading the stories and accounts of women who were sexually abused by their own fathers, grandfathers and their older brothers. These women have been carrying the grudges against their fathers. Sadly, their traumatic experience have made believe that God who we address as father, as someone who is uncaring and indifferent. They rejected the thought that God is loving and a healer. They think that the Bible is anti-women. They see the Bible as a compendium of restrictions and male chauvinistic codes. The fact that these incidents happen, requires an evaluation of our concept of fatherhood.

In our celebration of Father’s Day, children are called to remember their fathers. How do we remember our fathers? Do we see our father as a distant figure or someone you can talk with when we are down and anxious about life? Do our fathers know our dreams? When we talk with our father, do we talk with a human creature or a wall?

The responsibility of a father as a life-giver and good provider may be long and difficult task and yet with God’s grace and the love of our family, this is possible because this is necessary.