I'm pretty sure they both were about to break down, me included. This child was about to be sent off to boot camp for being a 'problem child' I assume… His simple yet sad and honest answer lays an axe to the root of the problem, he doesn't have a Dad.
The lack of fathers and father figures in these last few generations has caused so many problems - with young men especially. I believe the cry of this generation is the cry for fatherhood.
Swedish House Mafias recent song 'Don't you worry child' was a massive hit, not only because it was a great dance tune but because it echoes this generations cry, I believe it was an anthem on a spiritual level, cutting through to a generation that needs to hear it's core message...
Lyrics: My father said, 'Don't you worry, don't you worry child. See heaven's got a plan for you. Don't you worry, don't you worry now'...
It has the cry for fatherhood, for purpose and belonging. So many children have none of these, is it any wonder there are so many broken and angry children and adolescents around? Where are the fathers?
This capitalist driven society is robbing people of core values and depth that go beyond material gain and temporary satisfaction, there is no purpose or vision. The purpose is to gain fulfillment and satisfaction at every moment, either through wealth, material possessions or having sexual fulfillment or allure.
Give a person everything they think they want and they will either despair or rebel, because outside of the love and purpose that God seeks to give every person there is no point,. Just read through the book of Ecclesiastes and listen to the lamentations of the man who had absolutely EVERYTHING, he despairs of even life itself. Because outside the loving purposes of God, there is no point.
A better future?
We currently work hard to 'provide a better future for our children than we had', but what is this 'better future?' More cars? more flat screens and overseas holidays?
I would put everything on the line when I say that a child would rather spend loving and quality time with his parents above anything material, now or in the future. It will instill in them the much needed truth that they are indeed loved, that they are indeed worth the time and that they are important - that they matter.
All my childhood memories that I cherish are ones spent with family - one on one time with my parents especially and with a house full of seven children it was a rare thing believe me! What we did or where we were didn't matter it was the time and the love that was shared that was the lasting memory.
I truly believe a child both wants and needs the love and distinctive care of both a mother and a father equally, and a young boy needs a dad like nothing else.
In the movie Terminator II, Arnold Schwarzenegger (The Terminator) co-stars alongside the future saviour of the world, adolescent John Connor. Mid-way through the movie he muses that the terminator robot sent from the future to protect him, was sadly the closest thing to a father figure he ever had. Sure he was a robot devoid of human emotion, but this humanoid robot never hurt him, it always protected him and was always there for him, no matter what. It even sacrificed itself when it's job of protecting the boy was done. Pretty moral for a robot, but sadly some children don't get even this.
Heaven does have a plan for each and every child I believe, and we are here to be part of that plan, whether we be parents, friends, uncles, aunties, child workers or carers.
So fathers be real men, be true fathers and love and protect and provide for your kids best you can. And if you aren't a father be a father-figure for some poor child who has no male to look up to, even the smallest thing can mean more than you realise to a child or teenager screaming out for a Dad.
Such a fatherly act will burn into his memory and that lasting memory will be passed on to the next generation until every child knows that they are known and loved by God the Father.
Tim Everton is a youth worker and child carer from South East Melbourne. In his off-time he pursues graphic design, photography and enjoys the beach and seeking out Melbourne's next best cafe latte both in equal measure.
Tim Everton previous articles may be viewed www.pressserviceinternational.org/tim-everton.html