Lack of Involvement

"When Esau was forty years old he married Judith the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath the daughter of Elon the Hittite; and they brought grief to Isaac and Rebekah." -Genesis 26.34-35

Isaac's family is full of issues. Each parent has a favorite child, and the younger deceives his brother to get an upper hand. The older acts hastily and foolishly, trading the future for the moment. And we see no involvement from the parents in any of this. And then the time comes for marriage. Abraham was very intentional and very involved in the selection of a bride for his son. But here we see that Esau acts completely on his own. And his decision brings grief to his parents.

Men, when we aren't involved in the lives of our children, or young people in general, this is what happens. How many young girls had no man to show them how they should be treated, to tell them they are beautiful and captivating princesses to build them up, not get something from them? The decisions they make looking for love and validation grieve us.

How many boys walk around trying to prove themselves, living selfishly trying to get ahead and make a name for themselves? How many of them have no idea who they are, or how to use their strength on behalf of others because they never had anyone to show them how? How much grief have they caused?

Men, the only way it ends is if we get involved. Invest yourself into your children. Be their daddy, not just their father. And invest yourself in the lives of their friends. We live in a world of broken families, and fatherless children. Some through divorce, some through abandonment, and others through death, but fatherless all the same. They need a daddy to love them, and be involved in their lives.

I've thought about my own children someday, and the thought that has crossed my mind a lot is, "What if something happens to me, and I'm not around? Who will be there for them as a man?" I have life insurance, so my family will be taken care of, but they need more than money. This week I called one of my closest friends and asked him a huge favor. "If anything happens to me, would you be willing to be a male role model for my children?" You have no idea the relief that came over me when he said he would.

Men, if we don't get involved the destructive, grief filled, cycle will just continue. Get involved.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor