And one more thing, I send out LOVE to all those MOTHERS who have, had and are being fathers in the lives of their sons especially.
Happy Fathers Day! But where are the Fathers?
Ooowee!
Happy Fathers Day, but where are the …Wait a minute.
First, let me give Honor and Praise to all those fathers who know that it's one thing to make a baby and another thing to be responsible for that precious baby a gift from God. Like the world should see CHRIST in every CHRISTIAN, likewise in every male, in every sons walk, talk, thinking and behavior, his father should be reflected. Every father should want to see himself in his son and this also goes for the mother who should be proud to see herself when she looks at her daughter already grown or still growing up.
But with this Sunday being Fathers Day let me talk to the Fathers.
A pastor friend of mine said to me, "Bishop, I won't make the same mistake like I did last year and ask all the "REAL" fathers to stand up. I asked him what happened? He responded laughing, "Most if not all of the women stood up and many fathers were present in the church with their son for Fathers Day.” I asked him why did all those women most likely stand up for? He responded, "Because the fathers don't show up until their son in laying in a coffin, going to prison after a court sentence, or showing up one day out of the year on Fathers Day.” I stood before the pastor speechless, but agreed with him 100% knowing this from dealing with young Black hurting males on a daily basis.
Often I ask young Black males walking down the street, across the street and some just standing in the middle of the street the question, "How did your father let you walk out the house with your pants sagging beneath your butt?” Often I hear the answer, "What father, I don't have a father." I asked, just yesterday, to a mother whose seventeen-year-old son is giving her hell, "Where's his father?" She responded, "He don't have a father, matter of fact on his birth certificate where it says Father's name it's blank." Once again I was speechless, yet finding myself asking her as best I could, "You don't know who his father is?"
It is a known fact that when Fathers play a major role in their sons life he is most likely to do well in school, sports, and less likely to have a life of violence, going to prison early as well as ending up in a grave at a young age.
As a pastor and Jail Chaplain and CEO of The Greater Cleveland Jail Diversion Program for over twenty years I see many young Black males "trying to live what they see, and that's who they be." From negative Rap and Hip Hop music, the people they hang with, places they go and things they do it does not reflect their father because they don't have a clue who their father is, and for males that do know their father they for many reasons are angry at what he did or did not do as their father.
Another saying I heard was, "We must rear our children for the day will come when we must respond to what they have become."
If I see and talk to 100 young Black males wearing sagging pants all 100 will tell me, "I ain't got no father," of which I'm pretty sure of. What "REAL" father would have his son walking out the door wearing pants below his butt? What "REAL" father would encourage his son to make a baby and not be able to support it? What real father would be proud of his son moving in with a woman with no job, not looking for a job, no money, and nothing to bring to the table but what's only between his legs? What real father would encourage his son to just be a MALE meaning a sex machine? WILL THE REAL FATHERS PLEASE STAND UP?
In the Bible, the book of Proverbs the 4th chapter starting at the 1st verse, read it with me: "My children, listen to what your father teaches you. Pay attention and you will have understanding. What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all. When I was only a little boy, my parent’s only son, my father would teach me. He would say, "Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you and you will live. Get wisdom and insight! Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her and she will keep you safe. Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. Love wisdom and she will make you great. Embrace her, and she will bring you honor. She will be your crowning glory."
This is what the boy's father I'm sure not only told him to do but in the fathers action showed him as well.
Who is teaching our sons today? Is it the many women that stood last year at the pastors church when asked, "Will the ‘REAL’ fathers please stand up?”
This Sunday at In Touch 969 E. 140th St. Cleveland, Ohio (off St. Clair Ave) in the heart of the Collinwood Community, Judge William Dawson will be our Fathers Day Speaker at the 11 a.m. service and I personally invite all the "REAL" fathers to show-up and his words will encourage you to stay active in the lives of your children. Those fathers that need to step up and start the process of being active in the lives of your children please show up as well.
And one more thing, I send out LOVE to all those MOTHERS who have, had and are being fathers in the lives of their sons especially. I've heard that saying, "Only a man can raise a boy to be a man." Well I beg to differ as many men have been raised by a women that being their mom.
WILL THE REAL FATHERS PLEASE STAND UP!
You can e-mail the Bishop at bishopspeaks@aol.com" title="blocked::mailto:bishopspeaks@aol.com">bishopspeaks@aol.com or check him out on Facebook under Bishop Prince J. Moultry. Visit him at the church at the above address, and you can also call the church at (216) 761-7100.
