Day to remind dads of responsibilities

By Ivamere Nataro 14 August 2018, 12:00AM

Fathers’ Day should remind men of their responsibilities as fathers on top of celebrating the day, says Samoan Fijian community men’s fellowship leader Lai Kaivei. 

Speaking at a Fijian community church gathering yesterday at the University of the South Pacific fale, where they joined Samoans mark the day, Mr Kaivei highlighted the importance of being a father and warned of the dangers of the lack of respect among family members.

“It is a day that God reminds us men, especially fathers of the roles we play in our family and our society.

“One of the very important things about Father’s Day is to remind us of our responsibility. What is your role as a father in your family? To love your family, protect them and provide for them. 

“A lot of families face challenges and even separation because fathers do not know what their role and responsibility is. If you don’t know what God’s initial calling in your life as a father is and in your role in a marriage, then your family will suffer and it will affect your family,” Mr. Kaivei said

The 45-year-old also spoke about the importance of respect and the impact it can have on a family if a father did not portray this virtue. 

“If respect is missing in fathers, then you will not respect and love your wife and your children. 

You need to respect your wife and your children in order for you to stay focused on your calling as a father,” Mr. Kaivei said. 

“God is our father and he is the head of any family. God is full of compassion and patience. On earth, it is our duty as fathers to live according to how God is, follow in his footsteps in the way we raise our family. 

“Fathers’ Day is a time for us fathers to relook at our role, and how we have been living our life. If there’ one thing we should uphold and live by, it a life full of love and understanding. We need to understand our wife and children.” 

The service ended with a lunch prepared by the women’s fellowship group. 

By Ivamere Nataro 14 August 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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