The HIGH calling of being a DAD

I was reminded this past Friday of the high calling and responsibility of fatherhood as around 400 dads and daughters participated in our Daddy/Daughter Dance at Grace Community Church.

The dance served two purposes. First, it was a youth group fundraiser to help our teenagers go to the Momentum Youth Conference. More importantly, it allowed dads to spend a night with their daughters to make them feel loved, cherished, and special.

I will be honest with you, I had a few sappy moments, watching dads love on their daughters throughout the night. It was a great evening.

The effects of having absent or abusive fathers are well documented. Here are some startling statistics:

-  Approximately 98% of homosexual males had abusive or absent fathers
- Teenage girls are 164% more likely to have a pre-marital birth if they had abusive or absent fathers
- 71% of all high school dropouts come from fatherless homes – 9 times the average.  (National Principals Association Report)


In fact, research has shown that it is imperative that fathers show appropriate physically touch with their daughters. The pinnacle age a father should show appropriate physical touch (i.e. hugs, pat on the backs, etc) is at the age of eleven. This makes perfect sense because as daughters are entering pre-puberty they need to know that there is a man that loves, cares, and cherishes them for who they are otherwise they will look for love in all the wrong places.

God has set the father up as the spiritual leader of the home (Read Ephesians 5). Without, a Godly male influence children flounder.

In the book "Why Men Hate Going to Church" the author states: "Boys follow men not religion." If there is not a Godly influence within a young boy's life it is unlikely that they will ever walk with the Lord!

24 million children (34 percent) live absent their biological father!

Now is the time for men to embrace the Biblical call and responsibility as fathers! Now, is the time for men to adopt and love on orphans. Our world desperately needs DADS!

The Daddy Daughter Dance was a success in that it provided an opportunity for dads to love on their daughters! One couple got dropped off at the church in a limousine!

 

I am forever grateful for a Godly dad and father. I look forward to one day, Lord willing, emulating many characteristics from my father and role model.