Let's Here it for the Boys! The Holy Spirit Gift and Fruit given to Fathers

"You're a good, good Father

It's who You are, it's who You are, it's who You are

And I'm loved by You

It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am"

- Good Good Father by Chris Tomlin

"Daddy issues" a clinche frequently affecting women causing deep insecurity originated from a lack of their father's presence, a fear of their father's presence or  a perversion of fatherhood present.  Though no father fathers perfectly, I rejoice in my kids' father who fathers well by staying present daily. My husband cooks dinner, baths kids, plays with our kids everyday; thus giving the gift of his total present presence resulting in Daddy solutions instead of issues.  Yes, of course me, as their mother and primary caregiver gives the gift of my present presence daily; however only my husband demonstrates this gift of the Holy Spirit: the fear of the Lord. Our four kids both fear daddy's wrath and stay in awe of his strength. I too, as his wife and more physically fragile partner (I definitely lose in a hand-to-hand combat fight), too fear my husband. Yet, such fear, as in faith in him as a man possesing temperance, leads our family into a stable and strong direction. Such noble strength, my children and I trust in and submit too.  What a stark contrast to western feminimism that strives to stifle men and thus undermine fatherhood.

   A large proclamation from American society of toxic mascilinity echoed even into my own relgious traditional oriented heart, poisoning my perspective on my own father, husband and even sons.  I saw their strength as agression, something to cure rather than curate, a chaotic force to control rather than a character trait to celebrate.  So instead of attempting to domesticate and dominant the men in my life, may I, as a woman,  defend and delight in true fatherhood.

Yet what "Fear of the Lord" defines  Christ-centered masculinity? Cherished author Clide Staples Lewis in his  beloved, "Chronicles of Narina" children series features a lion as his Christ archetype and the epitome  of God-given uncorrupted masculinity. Lewis describes Aslan as dangerous, and untamed.

Mr. Beaver in the Lion Witch and the Wardrobe, "Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you."

Aslan himself states in the Silver Chair, ""I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion. It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it."

The difference between a boy and a man factors down to the fruit of the Spirit, "self-control." In order to practice  self-control, one must posses a power and strength to restrain. Not dormant, domesticate, tame, or practice passivity/ indifference , but an active will strong enough to touch gently.

    The traditional formation of the family under the headship of a father rests on the truth: the powerful strength of a man physically, emotionally and mentality to restrain when necessary and release the power to fight for his household.  So as a daughter, wife and mother, I vulnerably lean on and shelter with faith-filled fear of the father who fathered me, the father who fathers my children and my children I shall release to father others one day honoring their strength (physically, emotionally and mentality) rather than attempt to tame their naturally wild hearts. Also, I marvel at fathers' abilities to display the gift of the Holy Spirit "The fear of the Lord" and the fruit of the Holy Spirit of "self-control."