Most single men, at times, hope to be fathers. Most fathers, at times, wonder why they ever wanted the job. Parenting has never been an easy task; but it seems more difficult these days, what with random violence on the streets, a permissive culture, and several generations that have lost respect for authority. Unfortunately, newborns don't come with a programmer's guide. (I know -- I checked.)
Paradoxically, just at the time men could really use some guidance, there are more fatherless families than ever. Some of these result from irresponsibility, while others may be due to the pressures of coping with today's society. My own father died when I was 16; so although I had his example (and it was a good one), I couldn't get advice or benefit from his experience when I became a father.
For a prospective dad whose own father is absent (or, in some cases, not worth emulating), where can a good role model be found? The media is not much help. It's been a long time since "Father Knows Best"; today's sitcom fathers, in shows like "Home Improvement" and "Coach", are portrayed as well-meaning but ineffectual, generally inclined to say or do the wrong thing. In recent movies, the best father figure was not even human (Mufasa in "The Lion King")!
So where can we find a role model? In my case, I went straight to the top. It amazes me that anyone would try to be a parent without first knowing God as a loving Father, Who sometimes disciplines us for our own good, but is always ready to take us back when we are truly sorry. He gives me good advice too, such as "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6), and my favorite, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). And I can't watch over my children every minute of the day, but I know He will if I ask. He will even stir their conscience when they do something wrong without my knowing.
Naturally, I don't always live up to the image of my role model. But I must be doing something right. Even as I write this, I know my children are busily planning some surprise for me for Father's Day -- undoubtedly something they will enjoy immensely -- and I realize why it was that I wanted to be a father. It's a thankless job, but someone's got to do it!