Series: Fathers, Daughters, and Sex-Esteem

A Fathers love is the closest earthly experience a person will have to that of the Divine God the Father. As he leads, instructs, provides, loves, corrects, protects and serves as King to his wife and children. He understands that his role as a Father is a mantle that goes far beyond the ability to plant a seed but even when no seed in planted he finds his way seeking to rear one that may not even be his own.

His role is taken for granted and underestimated as we praise single mothers, independent women, and equal rights. I know I am the most feminist sexist you’ll probably ever meet but I enjoy my womanhood yet embracing all that manhood may encompass. As a woman I believe that Gods greatest creation was Man, and I actively seek opportunities to remind them of their greatness.

May this Fathers Day season we set our pride aside and begin to speak what we desire regarding our fathers, may we gird up enough strength to seek forgiveness beyond tolerance but reconciliation, may we not only praise our beloved fathers but build up those that may be struggling. We need our Fathers and to make an attempt to exclude them from our family dynamics does our home, community, work place, church, and world a disservice. His home is his training ground to fight the battle this world may bring as he pursues his dreams, provides leadership, creates safety, and manifest global change.

 

Snippet from a live interview with the father pictured below: Pierre Stewart and his daughter Bracey Stewart. Pic taken by yours truly, months ago after church service. I teared up as I saw their sacrifice to push their way to midweek service as it drew dark outside and cold inside with homework yet to be done. With great joy she wore her dads coat as he offered her guidance with her studies. I didn’t know then what purpose this capture would serve me but I knew it spoke volumes and I didn’t want to miss it.

 

E: If you had to stare in the face of a young girl with no father what would you tell her?

P: I would first tell her how beautiful she was, full of talent and promise.

Second, on her fathers behalf I would apologize for his absence.

Third, I would ask her to forgive me for not being a good dad in the beginning.

 

E: If you could share advice to adult women regarding relationships what would it be?

P: Men lie…*laughter* But if he really likes you, he will eventually tell you he lied…*more laughter*. No really, I would tell her that men know what they want and there is no need for her to make the process easy for him, don’t underestimate what we would do for what we want. I would then tell her that time is on her side, don’t fret and don’t settle.

 

E: What is important for men raising daughters to know?

P: Loving their mother is the single most greatest gift you could give them. She watches how you treat women. Believe it or not how you treat women is not always seen but spiritually understood and discerned by young ladies. Why expose them to that non sense and have to watch her on the receiving end of that soon. Support her the same way her mother would. Take interest in the ‘girly things’ because this builds a bond of trust and leaves communication flowing. Gift her great things and support ALL that she does.