...there is hope. Part 1.
Because there is truth...there is hope.
Because someone makes the choice to seek, to ask, to see, to hear & choose the truth...there is hope.
As I read a couple of posts on the Teaching Self-Government blog, my heart "took courage". I felt such hope, such strength, as I read of truth:
The truth of a father...
The truth of a mother...
The truth of a family...
"4 year old Avery Vidrine explained fathers like this, "They work hard, slay dragons, and love us!...
...Avery knows her father keeps her safe from dragons and other scary things and knows her father loves her enough to go away from her each day and do all that hard work... But as I heard Emily talk about the great trust her young daughter has in her father I wondered if Avery really knew what dragons an honorable father must fight to maintain powerful in his role as father and husband.
There is no greater example of strength than a virtuous man. Maybe this is why the media goes to such great effort to distract men from what is most important and will be the most fulfilling in their lives; family and virtue. Maybe this is why the
media encourages us to think of fathers as clueless and selfish. These lies about the identity and role of fathers and husbands decrease respect and destroy hope in fatherhood. Additionally these lies don't really make women look strong or smart, they make women look like oppressors of men. These false gender roles diminish happiness in family life and create confusion.
Husbands and wives, mothers and fathers are happiest and most fulfilled when they have put their priorities in order and they are deeply attached and involved with their families.
What Are The Dragons?
Daddies really do have to fight dragons every day. Not only are voices in society trying to undermine their existence and importance but these voices are also teasing and tempting
men like never before...It takes constant and diligent effort and a deliberate appeal to God and truth...
...Think of your daddy, your husband, or the young men in your life who are training to become daddies...
Whenever I think of Avery's description I am going to remember it like this; they work hard to slay dragons because they love us.
The Best Way To Slay A Dragon
The best way to slay a dragon and protect a family is through prayer. When the dragons come, a strong daddy prays. When a strong, valiant daddy sees dragons attacking his family and his children, because they will, he prays for and blesses them. Fathers are often described as protectors. They are often more endowed with physical strength and stamina to be sure, but I think the greatest protection I have ever seen men give is spiritual protection.
When daddy stops himself from following the dragon that is after him and falls to his knees for strength he is using the most powerful self-government skill he has. Our loving Heavenly Father helps our earthly fathers to become the protectors the world needs when they unify with him through faith and prayer." (Read more)
Not long after my husband & I began learning & implementing, together, the true principles & skills at the heart of what teaching self-government is, we had an experience with this truth, as he conquered in that moment, a "dragon" of his own...
When in a correction with one of our oldest sons, he became angry as he often had. But, then, instead of doing what he always did & acting out this anger by yelling to get his point across & get immediately fear-based compliance, he simply stood up & excused himself. After a moment of sitting there in my own emotions, I went to find him. As I opened our bedroom door, I found him, on his knees pleading for Heavens help. This pivotal moment changed his, & thus our whole family's, trajectory. And, it changed me. It continues to powerful protect & strengthen our family everyday. I will forever be grateful for the example of true love & true strength he showed to me & to my son because, in that moment, he chose.
We Were Meant to Be Courageous: Men of Courage
Another resource that echoes the profound truth of fathers & how much we as wives & children need & our powerfully helped & blessed by them, is portrayed in the movie, "Courageous". If you have not seen it, please do so. This movie is about a man's choice to have courage - to BE courageous, in choosing to be the husband & father he is entrusted to be. This movies shows how this one man's seemingly "small & simple" choices - at least in the eyes of the world - powerfully effect, influence & change the hearts & lives of all those around him as he decides & chooses to live this truth, for himself. Something GREAT indeed.
Here is the main song from this movie; "Courageous" by Casting Crowns. As you watch & listen to this, listen & hear the words:
(Click here for the lyrics.)
*Continue to "...their is hope. Part 2" - The truth of a mother.
