By: O.L./Sway Buckley
Isn't it time for an upfront and honest conversation about Father?
It wouldn't be such an issue if fatherhood weren't so important.
Most rational and reasonable persons would agree with the vitality of fatherhood. Ask any father with a strained relationship how they feel about it-you'll come away with a deep sense of the role fathers play.
Varying circumstances have impacted fathers' relationships with their children and vice versa. However, what's consistently accurate is that fathers are meant to help shape, cover, and provide. Some have done it better than others, yet that in no way lessens or increases their value. What I'm getting at is that fathers aren't utilities.
Fathers are people.
Fathers are pillars.
Fathers are more than pillars but not less than pillars.
I'm a firm believer in reconciliation and support.
Some brothers will be father figures who come alongside to help to shape children that are not biologically theirs. I know this uniquely well. I thank God for those who stepped up and stepped in for me.
Additionally, other fathers will come to a place in life where they're experiencing another opportunity to be reconciled/reunited with their children.
And yes, plenty of fathers HAVE BEEN a steady and continuous presence in the lives of those entrusted to their care. In either case, fathers are people, not perfect people, but people still. I refuse to highlight one extreme or the other.
We must consider the unique situations of people's lives in context, focusing on improving the future. This requires prayer, real help, and a conscious decision to show up.
As a man who didn't have a healthy relationship with my father until later in life-I know what prayer, patience, and honest conversations can do to reconcile; I also know what it's like not to have the opportunity (due to loss) to say some important things. No, this isn't the run-of-the-mill Father's Day write-up, but every aspect of life isn't "run-of-the-mill."
Fathers are people. Fathers are vital. Fathers are pillars. Where human fathers fall short, as a believer, I'm convinced of a heavenly father who doesn't.
Each morning, after prayer, I make it a point to consume content that helps me think through life and business matters. In fact, while you're working and building-check out this edition of The Marriedpreneur Podcast.
Happy Father's Day, brothers!
Here's to living purposefully, powerfully, and profitably in sync,
O.L. & Sway
O.L. is a former banker turned real estate consultant and entrepreneur. Sway is a former CEO of a staffing firm she started on her dorm room floor to pay for college. Together they co-own Marriedpreneur Life Consultancy, equipping married entrepreneur couples with high-level systems to scale without strain. They're the co-hosts of The Marriedprenuer Life Podcast, which was praised as one of Wedding Wire's top relationship podcasts to listen to. Learn more at MarriedpreneurLife.com.