By Jade Henry
FWIS Contributing Youth Writer

What I realized is that life doesn’t count for much unless you’re willing to do your

small part to leave our children – all of our children – a better world. Any fool can have child. That doesn’t make you a father. It is the courage to raise a child that makes a father.”

- Barack Obama

Dad, Daddy, Father, Pops, whatever you call him, they are very important in our lives.

Fathers are the ones that set and uphold the rules for their children. In addition, children expect their fathers to give them a sense of emotional and physical security.

I am grateful to have two fathers who:

• Believe in me

• Listen to me

• Give me good advice

• Pray, teach and practice moral and ethical principles with me

• Love me unconditionally

It doesn’t matter if who you call Dad is your biological father or a father-figure, what matters most is that he is a positive part of your life and he is willing to provide for all your earthly needs. As a result, children feel more confident, loved, and supported. Research indicates that a child’s social development is significantly impacted by their fathers’ affectionate and supporting behavior. Additionally, it fosters a general sense of well-being and self-assurance. Children will tend to feel safe and protected by their fathers if harm ever comes their way.

A child who grows up in a fatherless environment may experience increased emotional difficulties, including anxiety, sadness, and depression. Children who grow up with the absence of a father may begin to question their own self-worth in comparison to other children with fathers present and wonder why their father left them or chose not to be present in their life. They might also feel like no one is there to support them with their future goals and aspirations in life such as a career, sports, and college.

To conclude, the overall and long-term healthy development of a child is significantly

influenced by the bond between the father and the child. Fathers who help with their children's everyday needs tend to make them more self-assured and foster healthier relationships with their peers when they get older.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. “Honor your father and mother”

(this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” (Ephesians 6:1-2) You are blessed if you have a father who is present in your life. A daddy who shows up

when you need him is more precious than gold, he’s all that and a bag of chips!

Wishing all Dads, Fathers, Pops and Father-Figures HAPPY FATHER’S DAY!