WHAT MY FATHER TOLD ME

JUST THINKING:

A father is said to be the source and sustainer of his home.  He is expected to provide leadership in every area of life.  Leadership in the home is different from leadership at the work place.  This is one major aspect we all as men need to learn. It is what makes a father different from a boss at work. I saw my father lead in several areas as I grew up under his leadership.

He was nicknamed the submarine. He was also a handsome man, a man of few words, full of wisdom and understanding. Personally, he was the one who taught me how to write. I remember the day I came back from school, he checked my books and saw how badly I wrote. He then took my hand and taught me how to write. I was child then.

The submarine as he was called taught his children so many things using various means. One of the ways he taught us was what he said to us. He rebuked, corrected, commended, celebrated, appreciated, scolded, advised and instructed us at several times.

Proverbs 13:24 says, ‘’ He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly’’

My father believed in that above scripture. He disciplined us when we went wrong and he commended us when we did things that were right. He disciplined us with the cane and also with his words. The impact of his words was stronger than the cane he used on us. Both of them really reset out systems, helped us, built us and put us in order. His words pierced our spirit and soul every time he spoke to us. He would say, “As a person lays his bed, so he will lie on it’’.

He once made a statement to someone in my presence that changed my life forever. He said, “It is not a glory to sleep with all the ladies in this word’’. That statement changed my mindset because as a teenager I was looking forward to having a house of my own where I would paint the town red with ladies. But it never happened because I gave my life to Jesus before I became independent.

Several times, he told us stories of my own town, its history and how some events that are celebrated today came to being. It is very good to know one’s history. Knowing where you came from will make you appreciate where you are and where you are going.The stories he told us made me realize how rich my culture, family and people were. I must admit that I am proud to hail from Eme-Ora of Owan West Local Government in Edo state, Nigeria.

He believed in family unity. This was what he preached and sang to us before he passed on. He wanted all his children and family to be united no matter what. The major way to do this as he believed was to live at peace with all men. Do everything within your powers to be at peace with your siblings and people because this will strengthen the bond of the family and the unity of purpose.

Spiritually, he was sound. At eighty (80), he would fast twenty one days at the beginning of the year to pray for his children. If you asked him why he was doing it, he would say that was what he could do for them at that age. He had a daily prayer and study life. He would pray and study from 6am to 9am daily and same in the evenings.

My greatness regret today with regards to my relationship with my dad was that I took for granted some of the things he taught me and I didn’t do everything he wanted me to do. Before he passed on, he called me on the phone several times and asked me to come visit him because he wanted to see me. I kept postponing it until I heard that he had gone. I wish I needed ''posted'' him. Do not take your parents for granted. When they ask you to do something or visit, please do it or go because what they will say to you may help you in life, though it may sound foolish, same old story and outdated. Remember, what an elder sees while seating, you can’t see it while standing.

Proverbs 13:22 KJV says, “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just."

My dad left so much for us but the greatest he left were the legacy he left behind through what he believed, preached, his conducts, quality time he spent with us, making us believe and depend on God solely and the things he taught us through his actions, words and gestures.