Fatherhood

Fatherhood.
Every father is an image of our Father in Heaven. 
The very substance of fatherhood is a replica of Our Father in Heaven.
That’s where it takes it’s form and  meaning and derives its responsibility, it’s virtue and value.
There can be no fatherhood without First the Fatherhood of God.
That’s why we say;-
“Our Father
Who art in Heaven… “modern English doesn’t quite cut it, does it?
“Honour thy Father and thy mother.” (4th Commandment) 
Motherhood is up there with equal dignity, value and purpose; to rear the child in the image of God.
“Let us make man in our own image and likeness.” 
God said in Genesis.
So this tremendous responsibility must be returned with equal honour and respect from the child, and nothing less. That is the meaning of the  4th Commandment.
This draws us closer to God, in a very profound way.
We may not all be fathers or mothers, in the strict sense of the word, though we can be like a father,  a mother, to someone or to many, but we are all sons or daughters.
We all fulfil that role and that responsibility.
It is our first duty after our duty to God and before our duty to each other.