Fathers

When people hear the term “fathering”, they may think of different things. Some believe it simply means to make the genetic contribution to create life. Others may think it’s to be a provider in the workplace, but uninvolved at home. For me, fathering and fatherhood is so much more. 

Fatherhood is comprised of many roles and responsibilities including presiding over his family, providing for his family, and protecting his family. This all involves being an active participant in the lives of his children. Fathers can have a profound influence on their children and who they become. I am grateful for the father that I had to help raise me into the person that I am today. 

My father has always worked extremely hard to provide for our needs. He made it a goal that we would never have to go without, and he has worked hard to make that happen. Not only does he provide for our physical needs, but our spiritual and emotional needs as well. He always watches out for us and supports us in all we do. My father has also been a wonderful presider. He is the head of our family and has fulfilled that role well. 

He also has been an excellent protector. I am known in my family for being scared of everything, but I have always felt safe when my dad is around. He has also helped protect us spiritually. He and my mother have taught us the doctrines of the gospel and helped us gain testimonies that safeguard us from the adversary’s temptations. 

I have often gone to my dad for advice and wisdom. He has been a constant support in my life. As I was growing up, I would often feel insecure about who I was and how I looked and he would always help me remember that I am a daughter of God and that I am loved. As I got older, he would put together challenges for us to eat healthy and exercise together. This was just a simple example of how he supports us. 

In April of this year, I decided that I wanted to run a marathon. I was needing to get in shape, and I thought training for a marathon would be an excellent way to do that. I called my dad and asked him if he would be willing to train for the marathon with me, and he was more than happy to agree. We trained hard for two months and planned on running a half marathon at the halfway point of our training. Most of my family participated in the half marathon, but my dad and I were slower than the rest, and we had the opportunity to run it together. Weeks of long runs and a difficult race helped strengthen my relationship with my dad. Neither one of us are built like distance runners. This was an incredibly difficult physical and mental task for both of us, but we did it together. I am grateful that my dad is so loving and supportive that when I asked him to train with me, he jumped right on the idea and helped me reach that goal. We’ve had to postpone the full marathon for a while because of a knee injury that my dad had, and because I am 3 months pregnant. But the goal is still there and I am grateful that my dad will help me achieve it. 

I am grateful that I have so many examples of wonderful fathers in my life. My husband is one of those examples. He is kind, patient, and hard working. I am so excited to see him fulfill his role of father to our child that we will have in 6 months. I know he will be incredible. 

Fathers have the opportunity and blessing to build a special bond with their children. They are crucial to family life and are wonderful blessings. We all need to take the time to think about and thank the fathers in our lives for their influence and the blessing they are. As we do so, we can strengthen our family relationships and we will have happier families and homes.