Women seem to steal the show most of the time. They are often given the most attention being, no doubt, the most attractive of the two sexes. They are often held up as being the purest of the human creatures in society and, at times, she certainly demonstrates such in her behavior.

Unfortunately, however, evidence surfaces that some women are unproductive, undesirable and miserable persons. It is what they do that determines how "pure" and desirable they are, as with any human being!

Women, as the largest portion of humanity, are contributing, wonderful people, to be respected, loved, and received. My aim is not to degrade anyone but, rather to hold up for recognition any and all deserving persons. Dad, too, is deserving of recognition!

There is a day called Father's Day to honor him, too! His worthy qualitites need to be recognized, elevated, and reward, too, in the eyes of us all!

Man has a mind and heart, too; he feels the need for love, companionship, and "emotional qualities" if you will, also. A song was recorded in the late forties or early fifties, "Dad, too, is lonely," by Jimmy Skinner. It stirred my emotional fiber, causing me to ponder on the social and psychological forces contributing to the mind set of our strong men! I wish that the song could be re-recorded and released and all would listen to its message.

In our day when real human character, which is commendable to this very important figure, is played down, we need something to high-light the courageous behavior of a real father! On the evening news, we are fed a daily dose of disaster (infidelity, crime, destruction of persons and property, disrespect for decency). Movies thrive on the destructive behavior of people. I believe that we need and deserve something better. I'm challenging each of us to recognize, evaluate favorably, and reward by commending fatherly behavior.

Potentially, each man is a father. Each has a biological father. Each has to have a father sociologically, psychologically, and economically. Often however, the biological father does not have the courage and character qualitites necessary to function as a father sociologically, psychologically, and economically.

Value systems have developed that feed the ego of some who pride themselves on being biological fathers, but who cast off the value of the qualities necessary to serve in the real fatherly functions. They reject responsibility, wanting the sexual pleasure without the pain of caring.

What are we doing to support fatherly behavior, honorable responsible manhood? Beloved, people who reject the responsibility of serving and providing cultural values, emotional support, sociological elements, and economic support for their offsprings are without redeeming value, to society and to themselves. May we help bring this message home to those involved, by giving our whole-hearted support to commendable behavior of the real fatherly figure!

People who reject the responsibility of serving in a fatherly capacity, I'm convinced, live on a very low plane. They can never experience the real satisfaction of being a real father, sociologically and psychologically, which has much richer rewards than the instant thrill of planting the seed, biologically!

Let men be men, accepting the responsibility of planting the seed, legitimately as God approves in- wedlock! With love and appreciation, anticipate the arrival of that little one; stand by the mother and manifest your concern for that one you helped to bring into this world! Share in the happiness as that offspring grows and live an exemplary life before it. Yes, let men be men, experiencing the rich rewards that come only in this fashion!

Take time to recognize that fathers, too, are people with feelings! They have a large reservoir of affections, commodities of tenderness, companionship, too! Let us recognize, respect, and reward the fatherly characters! Are you honoring your father? "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honor thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth" (Eph. 6:1-3).

Guardian of Truth XXVI: 6, pp. 10-11
February 11, 1982