Here at The Pregnancy & Parenting Center (TPPC) we are learning how to best love and encourage our “dads” in this beautiful, and sometimes daunting, journey of fatherhood. We have had the privilege of walking alongside dads, and dads-to-be, ranging in age from 15 to 60. (This is simply the range I’ve personally had the opportunity to serve.)
They come to TPPC from many different home lives, nationalities, religions, educational backgrounds, and life experiences. Some were raised by loving, present fathers, but many were not. Some experienced absent dads, uninvolved dads, angry dads, overly busy dads, or “do as I say, not as I do” dads…you can fill in the adjectives. A man’s own experience with his father, or the absence of one, often has a profound impact on how he fathers his own children.
So, who teaches men how to be dads? Fatherhood is one of the most important roles a man will ever take on, yet many step into it without guidance, support, or examples to follow. That’s why at TPPC we feel deeply blessed and called to stand in the gap for the men God brings our way. We teach, encourage, build, strengthen, and walk closely with them. We want every dad to understand the incredible importance of his role and the lasting impact he has, not only on his children today, but on future generations. The legacy he leaves will carry on through his children, and their children after them.
Strong dads build strong families.
Strong families build thriving communities.
If you are one of these men, we want to wish you a Happy Father’s Day.
Thank you for being an example to those around you of our Father in heaven.
By Geoff Trapani, Fatherhood Coordinator