As dads and husbands, we have been given a great responsibility. And it is not a responsibility that should be worn lightly. That responsibility is to be providers – but not just in the way that you may be thinking.
I asked a large group of men to tell me what it meant to be a provider. Overwhelmingly, the answer was along the lines of “having the ability to give my family food, clothing and shelter.”
But this is such a small part of what being a true provider is.
I remember as a child, playing cricket in the front yard with my brother. I loved playing with him. But the really special times were when dad came out and played with us. I never wanted those afternoons to end.
I recall that sinking feeling when mum used to call us in for dinner and put an end to our game with dad.
I have my own boys now and I have never seen that ear to ear smile when I put a plate of food in front of them or when they pull on a warm jumper in winter. The only time that I have the privilege of seeing that smile is when I take the time to have some fun with them.
Now, that is provision.
It is so easy as a dad to become so busy providing for our family that we forget to provide for our family.
When we give our children food, they have a full stomach. But when we spend time enjoying them, we give them pure joy.
A true provider does not limit himself or herself to fiscal provision. A true provider gives his or her family the thing that they crave the most – time and attention.
Dads, it is up to us to be active in the upbringing of our children. Despite how we are feeling, let’s resolve to never make a habit of saying to our kids “Dad is too busy to play” or “Dad is too tired to hang out”. To a child, that habit will crush their spirit.
Let’s resolve to be true providers to our families by giving them the thing they need the most – us.
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
That is a little nugget of gold that every mum and dad should hang onto. Our babies are gifts from above and we must value these moments especially when they are young as it will cause them to grow up feeling so loved and cherished. I really enjoyed this article : – )
This is so true…thank you for sharing Brendon. I will be forwarding this to all the dads I know.
Thanks so much for writing this Brendon. So good to have a dad’s voice on our pages! Great words!
Just awesome! Very thought provoking and relateable. Loved it!
That’s beautiful Brendon. So much more than $$. Kids in developing countries with parents who love them do just fine…
Jane’s comment leads me to a point of clarification on my article. I am not for a moment suggesting that the provision of food etc is not an important part of what we do as providers. I am simply suggesting that it is not all encompassing. It is a part of our role as providers, not the entirety of it. Our roles as providers include and go beyond that.
You are so right my friend.
I know I put a lot of focus upon the provision of food, shelter, security for my family, but I easily forget the pleasure the boys get out of kicking the footy with Dad. Or my beautful daughter gets from hanging with Dad. It’s all too easy to say I’m too busy. Awesome message and you are absoluetly spot on. Thanks mate.
Thank you Brendan, this is a fantastic reminder for all fathers.
Reading through it I started to look at it from a slightly different angle. That is, your comments regarding the provision of time, love, support etc as a father is coupled with the fact that a child’s relationship with their father is very often the exact same way in which they relate to their heavenly father throughout their lives.
If their father was distant and distracted, then that child will grow up to believe that God is distant and distracted and will have difficult engaging with all of God’s love and grace.
If however, the father was loving, encouraging, comforting, fun and engaged then that child will be in a much better position to relate to God and to grasp the richness and fullness of his character.
It is not a role to be taken lightly and yet in the hustle and bustle our lives we often forget the significance.
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