The Power Of Presence

THE POWER OF PRESENCE

AIM

To teach men that their presence is important to the spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional well-being of their children (especially boys) and encourage them to become more involved with them.

INTRODUCTION

Children today are in trouble. In his book Bringing Up Boys James Dobson makes this comment,

“Boys are in trouble today primarily because their parents, and especially their dads, are distracted, overworked, harassed, exhausted, disinterested, chemically dependent, divorced, or simply unable to cope.”

Too often in our society children are left to raise themselves simply because the parents can’t find the time to spend with them. More and more both parents are spending the majority of the day away from home and fathers especially are less and less involved in the upbringing of their own children. That is a sad commentary on what our country has become. The “family” unit is quickly becoming the “individual” unit where everyone fends for themselves.

In our hustle and bustle world fathers have got to awaken to the fact that their children need them. Take a look at these statistics:

*25 million children (36.3%) do not live with their fathers.

*40% of children in fatherless homes have not seen their fathers in at least 1 year.

*50% of children who live without their fathers have never stepped foot inside their father’s home.

*63% of youth suicides are from fatherless homes

*85% of children that exhibit behavior disorders are from fatherless homes

*80% of rapists are from fatherless homes

*71% of high school drop outs are from fatherless homes

*75% of all adolescent patients in chemical abuse centers are from fatherless homes

*70% of juveniles in state operated institutions come from fatherless homes

*85% of youths in prison are from fatherless homes

*70% of teen pregnancies are from fatherless homes

*72% of Americans polled recently said the physical absence of fathers is the most serious problem facing America’s families.

Are you starting to realize that a father’s presence during childhood is very important in deciding the way children will react with society when they grow up to be adults? We literally shape the life of our children when we spend time with them at home.

James Dobson gives more proof of the father’s importance. He told of a greeting card company that set up a table in a federal prison and invited any inmate who so desired to send a Mother’s Day card for free. The response was so overwhelming that they decided to do the same thing for Father’s Day. Sadly, not a single prisoner had the desire to send his father a card. Most of them didn’t even know who their father was.

Both my father and my grandfather were around when I was growing up. I am thankful to God for their guidance and leadership.

DAD

- Gentle

- Funny

- Always there

- Friend

- Provider

- Encourager

PAPA

- Firm

- Lover of outdoors

- Farmer

- Storyteller

- Bigger than life

- Indestructible

The most important father figure that we could ever have is God himself, our Heavenly Father. He has done so much that I couldn’t list it all. But, without a doubt, the most remarkable thing he did was this: He saved me from sin by sending his son to die for me.

I owe it to him to raise my children in a way that would be pleasing to him.

I. WHY SHOULD I SPEND TIME WITH MY SON?

A. Because he is an inheritance from God – Psalm 127: 3,4

1. What is an inheritance?

a. A possession to which one has received the legal claim.

b. Something that was valuable to the previous owner.

2. What do we do with an inheritance?

a. Treat it with respect.

II. HOW DO I SPEND TIME WITH MY SON? – Deutoronomy 6:6,7

A. Teach him about the ways of God

1. Requires preparation (your own walk with God will benefit).

2. Requires talking.

3. Requires listening.

III. WHEN DO I SPEND TIME WITH MY SON? – Deutoronomy 6:7

A. When thou sittest at the house

1. At the dinner table (something that is quickly becoming a tradition of the past).

2. In the living room.

3. Any time that you can be alone.

TURN THE TELEVISION OFF AND SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!!

B. When thou walkest

1. Hunting used to be a good way.

2. Just take a walk and enjoy nature.

3. Riding in the car has taken over walking, but it is still a good time.

C. When thou liest down

1. Bedtime is one time that kids love attention.

D. When thou risest

1. What kid hasn’t ran into his parent’s room and dived onto the bed in the morning?

CONCLUSION

As fathers we have a responsibility to not only raise our children, but to spend time with them as well. Every child needs a father figure in his life. For those who don’t have children consider investing time into the life of a child whom is fatherless. The time spent may have everlasting results. Show your children that you care about them. Spend some time with them.