Amazing how quickly time flies.
Not sure where this year is running to, but it sure is moving along.
So I have been on leave for the
last 12 days. After that a scary “breakdown” of my body, my doctor insisted
that I take some time off and just rest. No work, no laptop, no cell phone
(Whatsapp, BBM etc)...He recommended that I “switch off” and allow myself time
to recharge. Taking his words to heart I
decided to take it easy and spend a week at home (at my parents). My mom was
out of the country visiting family in Zimbabwe so it was just me and my dad.
I have been blessed with the most
amazing pair of parents. I would not trade them for anything or anyone in the
world. Having grown up in the “Diaspora”, we learnt from early on to rely on
the relationships in our nucleus family circle. In addition I think that my
parents applied a rather free-form style of parenting where it was instilled
within us that we could follow our own life paths, so long as we’d be happy to
live with the choices that we made. Yes there were some typical parenting
traits that I think many Zimbabweans can relate to (manners; house chores; etc)
some of which can be draconian in nature.
But from an early age (pre-teens) my parents made us understand that we
should carry some responsibility for where our life paths would take us.
Instead of dictating what they wished for me, they gave me the freedom to
discover my own way, whilst always knowing that they were there cheering me on.
Sort of like a tennis coach, the player can go as far up the rankings as he
wishes depending on how he applies himself, but the coach is always there to
encourage, critique and motivate – that’s my parents.
On the Saturday night before I
went home my dad called me and suggested that we go to brunch after the church
service on Sunday. It was such a treat to spend that morning with him, no mom, and
no siblings.
My dad is a man of few words, but he is the sweetest soul I know. After some
perfunctionary conversation and catching up on the week’s highlights, my dad
shared that he’s been on this “journey” to learning to be a better dad. In my
mind I was like, "but you’re already a great dad, an awesome one in fact!..." I’m
not sure how many of you have watched the movie “Courageous”. Well at our
church they have started a 15-week study into some of the principles that are
highlighted through-out that movie and also in the book “The Resolution for Men” by
Stephen Kendrick. The book is basically a call to men to step up to the plate
and be the husbands, fathers and courageous men that the God intended them to
be. I’ve perused some of the book’s topics and it seems to be a seriously
“deep” book that encourages men to step back and measure their lives against
the standards to which God has called them. It’s incredible; as my dad was
sharing his heart with me during our one-on-one time I kept thinking “Wow! God
you’re amazing!” It was truly a moment that could only have been orchestrated
in heaven. I felt unbelievably blessed and humbled that this was my dad,
talking to me about his hopes and desires for me as his first daughter; and how
he hopes to be a part of seeing me become the woman God intended me to be. Hearing him to say that he is proud of me, and
my accomplishments (even when I have messed up) and that he loves and blesses me....Wow!
Not a written letter; but real live words! Yes truly; the power of life and death is in the tongue. I was reminded
of the bible encounter between Isaac and Jacob when he was giving him the
blessing of the birthright. That’s the role of a father – to bless his children and by his words
open the way for them to be all that God intended them to be. What a special moment, what precious words
spoken by the man I love most in this world.
It takes a man of courage to take
a stand for his family, his wife and his children, to be a model of faith to
his family, to speak words that build and not tear down; to bless and not
curse; to demonstrate his love and the father’s heart to those that have been
given to him to lead. I am blessed to
say that my father is one such man. Having heard more about the “Courageous
Journey” through the men’s ministry at our church I am convinced that they have
started something awesome and I hope that more men will heed this call to be
better leaders in their homes, churches and communities. We could all be better
people when we gain the confidence that can come only from a father’s love.
This past Sunday (12th
May 2013) our church hosted a ceremony for these courageous men who have
completed this 15-week journey into self-discovery. My dad was one of twelve and
as his daughter I am truly proud, privileged and blessed that he has set into
motion a spiritual legacy for me, my sister and brother. This is a legacy that
will also bless our children, and their children’s children. Malachi 4:6 says “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the
hearts of children to their fathers”. Having witnessed my dad make a public
declaration in front of my mother, myself and our church family, I believe more
than ever that in our generation we do need men of courage. I would encourage
my brothers (cousins and male friends), those that are fathers and those still
looking forward to becoming fathers, to allow God to inspire you into being the
kind of men that will lead, love and defend their families – MEN OF COURAGE! It
will make all the difference in your family’s lives. I can testify (from a
child’s perspective).
"The Resolution for Men" is truly a
commitment that will change families, so that they become everything that God intended them to be!
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