I KNOW A MAN

 

I was thinking this morning.... Two days ago, a colleague checked out of his hotel room in Port-Harcourt unbeknownst to him that he left his wad of greenbacks in the room. The cleaner came in afterwards and saw the money. He took the money (worth over N7 million) to his supervisor and it was eventually returned to the owner. Why would a worker on a yearly salary of less than a million naira do that? He must have considered his children and the legacy he wants to leave behind. In my conclusion, I said, this man is a father.

I know a man that earns about N50,000 monthly and have 6 children with two in the University. With the impact of fuel subsidy removal, he treks 15km daily to get to his place of work. Why must he make this huge sacrifice? This man is a father.

I knew a man in the 'yard' we grew up in Warri who came home and met his wife and children quarreling with another family. The man of the other family also came out to defend his family. When both men could no longer stomach the insults on their wives and children, a free-for-all family fight broke out that landed both men in the hospital. As I looked back to understand why, I concluded, those men were fathers.

I know a man doing well as an accountant in Nigeria. One evening he was kidnapped on his way from work and almost lost his life but for God. Not long after, he sold his big house and relocated (japa'ed) to Canada. Years after, I visited him in his 3 bed, 2 bath apartment in Toronto. He was living a very modest life but the children were happy. I sat with him to understand why and he said 'I sacrificed my luxury in Nigeria so my children can grow up in a sane environment where life matters and education is not seen as a scam. I looked at him, shook my head and said 'this man is a father.'

It is easy for one to think of men that are rich and famous as the ideal model of a father. Fatherhood is more about the sacrifices we make for our family than the luxury we provide. A true father is one that fights for his family, sacrifices his comfort for them, loves his children and their mother and leaves the legacy of integrity and truth for them (Proverbs 13:22).

If you know a man that is a true father, please join me to wish him 'Happy Fathers Day.'

Stay hopeful. God's got our back.

......Just the thoughts of a certain Wey Mey