THE IMPORTANCE OF A FATHER’S LOVE
Few bonds shape life more deeply than that between father and child. A father’s role is more than providing or disciplining; it is presence, encouragement, and love. John Sanford, priest and psychoanalyst, found that children with poor relationships with their fathers, struggled broadly in life. His conclusion: money is not enough—fathers must give themselves.
The Absent Father
Karl Faus, a prison minister, observed that nearly all inmates he served had never known a father’s love. One story tells of handmade cards selling out for Mother’s Day, but none for Father’s Day. Psychologists note that children deprived of a father’s presence often face brokenness—behavioural struggles, addictions, or crime. While some rise above this, often thanks to others stepping in, the void remains profound.
The Supportive Father
In contrast, fathers who are engaged bring stability and confidence. Their support is not about simply being present but being involved—cheering, teaching, listening.
Brooks Adams once wrote in his diary: “Went fishing with my dad, greatest day of my life.” His father’s entry on the same day read: “Went fishing with my son, day wasted.” What was priceless for one was trivial to the other. Children long for their father’s presence in everyday life; nothing else can replace it.
God’s Solution
Earthly fathers are imperfect—some absent, others hurtful. Yet Scripture shows that God steps in. Through Christ, we are adopted into His family, given a perfect Father who never fails. Paul declares: “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Even for those scarred by an earthly father, God’s love brings healing and hope.
But this truth is hard for many to grasp. One woman, deeply wounded by her father, could not call God “Father” until Christ restored her view of Him. That is why fathers today bear such responsibility—to reflect, however dimly, the love of the Heavenly Father.
Two Conclusions
1. It’s Never Too Late. Regret is common: “I should have… I was too busy…” But every moment is a chance to start again. As George MacDonald wrote, each present moment is sacred.
2. Respond to God’s Love. We love because He first loved us. His love is not earned by what we achieve but given freely, here and now. Fathers are able to love, because they were loved.
A Final Story
A young cricketer, grieving his blind father’s death a day before a major test match, chose to play. His father had never missed a match. That day he scored his first century. Asked how, he said: “This was the first match my father saw me play.”
Such is the power of a father’s love. It shapes identity, memory, and future. May fathers reflect God’s love faithfully—and may those who lacked it find in Him a Father who never fails.
