Freedom Only a Father Can Give

I was talking with a friend recently about the significance of fatherhood. As the conversation evolved it became clear that for us to be good fathers ourselves, we needed certain things from our fathers. We boiled it down to two things; we need to hear our father’s voice and we need to experience our father’s touch.



The Father’s Voice

For us to be good fathers we need to hear our father’s voice in various ways. We need to hear his encouraging voice telling us we’ve got what it takes and we can make it. We need to hear his voice of wisdom letting us know which path is best. We need to hear his instructive voice teaching us how to truly be a son, a man, a husband and a father. We need to hear his voice of correction when we’ve wandered from the path and are struggling to find our way back. But mostly we need to hear his loving voice. We need to hear that voice which reminds us that even on our worst days, still he loves us. We need that voice more than all the rest.

The Father’s Touch

Along with Dad’s voice we need to experience his touch. We need that high five when we’ve scored the winning touchdown or that pat on the shoulder when we’ve struck out with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth. We need his hands on ours the first time we hold a rifle, a circular saw, a baseball bat or razor. We need to experience his touch when he embraces us and the love from his heart flows through to ours. We need his hands on our heads giving us his blessing and imparting to us so that we too might bless our children.

Undoubtedly there is much more that we need from our fathers than merely voice or touch, but it is a good place to start. For all of you mothers and fathers out there, it’s never too late. Which of your children, physical or spiritual can you bless today with your voice or your touch? May the Lord put a child on your heart even now. Call them, write them, hold them… love them

Heavenly Father, come and fill every void in the life of every reader. Fill the void left by voiceless and touch-less fathers. Let us hear your voice and give us our voice. Let us feel your life giving touch that we too might give life with ours. Father, set us free from fatherlessness and set us free to be the fathers we were created to be, amen.

© Tom Zawacki 2006