The Crucial Dad

“It is not good for man to be alone.” Genesis 2:18

Marriage was and is God’s idea. And that is why the ancient enemy attacks that holy bond between a man and a woman from every direction. I find that he reserves the most vicious offensive against men, husbands, fathers, and priests. The destroyer finds ways to pervert men’s most important and significant role in the formation of families.

Writer, researcher and teacher Scott Hahn, in one of his talks, recounted a story about his father on the first day of boot camp. The drill sergeant talked about all the weapons of destruction, and when he got to the hand grenade, he “accidentally” dropped it, and then shouted, “Run, take cover!” All the recruits scampered in fright, and the sergeant roared in laughter. “Get back here!” Scott’s father, when he spied one of his friends arrive with all the other new recruits in the next bus, told his friend in secret, “If you get Sgt. so-and-so, this is what he’s going to do.”  

His friend did get Sgt. So-and-so, and when the Sgt. dropped the grenade and everyone ran away, his friend fell over and covered the grenade! He was the only one to get a medal in boot camp! Many husbands and fathers go through their roles “faking it”, not knowing their contribution to the family is CRUCIAL. They should be more purposeful if they want the best for their family, and not just wing it. 

From a 1994 study conducted by the Swiss, one of the conclusions was that it is the religious practice of the FATHER that determines if the children will be regular churchgoers. If the father does not attend church, no matter if the mother goes to church every day, statistics show only one child in 50 will go to church regularly. If a father attends church, even if the mother does not, 66% to 75% of their children will go to church sometimes or regularly! Wow! 

Let us pray for protection over our families, our marriages, our husbands, and our children against the constant barrage of messages and images contrary to the wonderful plan of God for us! And mothers, let us not forget the example of St. Monica. Her husband Patricius was a Roman pagan, but because of her prayers, her son Augustine became a saint! 

( original painting on Bible altered with Prisma app)