Father -- A Forever Title

As a new day  breaks on the east coast of the United States, and I contemplate laying down to sleep on the other side of the country, I reflect on fathers, especially my own. Society once appreciated and honored the men that were a part of them. But I now wonder if we, as men, are considered to be something of value; anything unique. The role of men has been diminished and made to seem irrelevant, as more and more women enter the work force and take on roles that were once considered the duties of men. Certainly, it is acceptable for women to work and do what men do, but it appears to me as though it is happening so frequently and unnecessarily that men are feeling castrated in a sense; they lack confidence. There is a loss of pride and honor. But those feelings are the feelings of the devil. They are placed there on purpose for the works of darkness and the further breakdown of families. But men and fathers, and those who are future fathers, it is time to stand up and BE MEN! It is time to regain your standing and your rightful place as sons of God on Earth. And as such, we are meant, when possible, to PROVIDE, PRESIDE, and PROTECT! This is something you know to be true. It is innate in men. Just as women are given innate qualities that allow them to NURTURE, as well. And together, in a family unit, it works perfectly. I am certainly grateful for those men and fathers who have given me someone to look to for an example of truth and righteousness. The fathers of my faith and the fathers of this great nation of the United States of America are a few of those men. I have been blessed to have a father of my own who has also provided a righteous example for me to follow.

I wish I had a picture of my father, but I don't. If I did, you would see the light of Christ in his eyes, and notice both a strength and softness about his presence. If you could watch him you would see him endlessly give of his time and talents in the care of others. You would see a husband who has learned to endure many nights of laying down on his pillow alone, while his hard working wife is still out wrapping up the work day as much of the world retires to their own homes and beds. You would see a son who would drive 2 hrs each way every Saturday for weeks on end to help build a house for his father, for which no financial reward is had. But he knows of the priceless treasures he will find in honoring and serving his parents. If you could see the works of his past and present amongst his family you would also find a brother who loves, serves, and protects his siblings... you would find an uncle who treats his nieces and nephews as his own, even driving long distances to attend events in their honor...a father who would lay down his life for his children; who suffers silently when they suffer; who cries when they cry...You would find a grandpa who cuddles and loves on his grand kids, enduring the explosion of life that occurs within the children when both he and grandma are around...and you would find a son in law who sacrifices and serves his mother in law when the projects don't always make sense because she is a project herself. And most importantly, you would find a man of God, who loves his Heavenly Father, through the works of his hands, which is apparent in all that he does. He is a man who leads by example. He rarely says a word of himself and his circumstances, but is interested in others and their needs. He is a man who holds the Priesthood and uses it righteously in the service of others. It may sound to good to be true, but that which I speak of is the truth! Is he perfect? No! But I wouldn't have it any other way! God gave me a father who through the years has shown me great growth in his service of Jesus Christ, his love of family,  and his tolerance and patience for others through the trials and obstacles of life. That is strength. That is character...to have weaknesses and be humble enough to give yourself over to the Father and have those weaknesses be molded into strengths. And that often comes in the furnace of affliction. I have a father who has loved me through all of my stupidity. He has endured pain and loss alongside me and my family. He would give the shirt off his back for myself, my wife, or my kids...and probably any of you! And in a sense, he probably has many times over when times were hard and he gave of his hard earned income to see us through. Most importantly, my earthly father has given me an example to follow to become like my Heavenly Father!

In an attempt to describe my Heavenly Father, a lot would be the same. Heavenly Father loves others and treats them like he would like to be treated himself. Heavenly Father gives and gives and gives endlessly, accepting a mere showing of love in return, which causes him to give even more. Heavenly Father is there to listen, even in the middle of the night. Heavenly Father is everything that we want and need, because He is perfect and we are His creations. He knows us! He Loves us! He wants us all to be like Him and have all that He has, in order to do what He has done and continues to do.

But until that time, let's continue to look forward, constantly watchful of the righteous examples of our fathers. Let's remember the heroes that we sometimes call "dad". Men, let's remember to be men and restore the proper balance of our society, where fathers PROVIDE, PRESIDE, and PROTECT...and where mothers NURTURE and EDUCATE their children. And both husbands and wives work together with our Heavenly Father's help to assist in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of His children. And to all of men, I hope you had a special Father's Day, for you are of infinite worth!

"...Fatherhood is not a matter of station or wealth; it is a matter of desire, diligence, and determination to see one’s family exalted in the celestial kingdom. If that prize is lost, nothing else really matters" ~ Ezra Taft Benson