I’m not writing all this as a neighborhood scold just to make you feel rotten. I’m writing as a father to you, my children. I love you and want you to grow up well, not spoiled. There are a lot of people around who can’t wait to tell you what you’ve done wrong, but there aren’t many fathers willing to take the time and effort to help you grow up. It was as Jesus helped me proclaim God’s Message to you that I became your father. I’m not, you know, asking you to do anything I’m not already doing myself. – 1 Corinthians 4:15 (MSG)

I have read this scripture many times, quoted it many times, and used it many times to emphasize the strongest beat of my heart, fatherhood! I was blessed to carry the nature of a father even before I had my own kids. It’s one of those things God does that we can’t explain and we can’t manufacture. Fatherhood is a great sacrifice, a deep commitment, and a great reward.

Read this message translation one more time. Teachers tell, fathers show. Teachers correct, fathers lead. Teachers instruct, fathers demonstrate. A true father does not expect their children to do what they themselves are not doing.

He showed me how to stay committed, resolved, principled, and present regardless of the situations you face in life. He is in my hall of fame of fathers.

I am privileged to have such a father. Absalom Ng’weno Masinde is a man’s man. He showed me how to love without using many words. He showed me how to take responsibility for all that happens within the confines of your home. He was a tender man yet also a disciplinarian, and I’m grateful for that. He still has wisdom beyond what I can fathom. He still leads us in ways only a father can. He still shows us how to live and how to love. He is my main role model for what I should be as a father.

As the Lord was teaching me fatherhood, before I had my own kids, I would have dreams of myself doing things with my dad I was sure we never did. What I understood was that the Lord was using these dreams to show me the simplicity of actions that speak volumes to children. I started to do the simplest things, gain wisdom, and grew as a spiritual father. I learned that fatherhood is about showing and not telling.

My father showed me how to endure hard times, how to pray through challenges, how to stay faithful to my one wife and our children. He’s done it for over 50 years. He showed me how to stay committed, resolved, principled, and present regardless of the situations you face in life. He is in my hall of fame of fathers. He still shows through his work ethic. He still shows through his wisdom. He still helps us grow day after day.

Along the way, I’ve had many spiritual fathers. As I’ve grown in my fatherhood, I’ve learned to value fathers even more. Paul Kidd was my first spiritual father as I learned sonship and grew in my understanding of who God is and what His Kingdom looks like. Along the way, I met men like Jim Morgan, Doug Kreighbaum, Tom Bedford, and Dave Richards. I have recently connected with Bishop JB Masinde, a spiritual giant who is a father at heart. These are all men who represent the heart of a father. They’re those who have walked down the road I hope to continue on for the rest of my life.

I learned that fatherhood is about showing and not telling.

In light of this, I see why Paul made it such a big deal. You can hire an instructor but not a father. You can learn from an instructor but you can only follow the example of a father. Fathers are irreplaceable and currently the most attacked institution in society. We must fight to bolster the strength and security of fatherhood. Fathers speak identity, lead families, strengthen children, and uphold family honor and dignity.

As society attacks and attempts to destroy the institution of fatherhood, we must fight to exemplify what it fully represents. As shining lights in a dark world, let every righteous father stand out with dignity and find grace to effectively lead and be an example of how we should all live. With the attack on fatherhood comes a related attack on sons and daughters. If our society loses the strength of fatherhood, it loses its identity. With a lost identity comes confusion, insecurity, apathy, and eventually chaos.

You could say this has already happened but I will have to disagree. I’ve seen a batallion of fathers who are unwilling to bow. I’ve seen an army of fathers who are determined to see multiple generations of sons and daughters who will grow up with full identity, resist the wiles of the devil, and be righteous sons and daughters in their own right. I have several of my peers, including my two blood brothers, I could name who are fathers of great resolve. It takes many such shining lights to change the tide that threatens to derail our children’s lives. I’m glad that I have a long list. I ask God to continue growing that list. Fatherhood is a special gift and a weighty responsibility.

Fathers are irreplaceable and currently the most attacked institution in society.

As a father, I’m committed to being part of the remnant that will not bow. I’m committed to being a man that resolves to raise a generation of sons and daughters that become fathers and mothers. We have more than enough instructors. What the world needs now….is fathers, righteous fathers.

Happy fathers’ day to all good fathers out there!