My Father’s Day Tribute

Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to have other men step into my life. I lost my dad when I was 18. It was a probably one of the most challenging transitions I had to make.

My dad was my mentor, role model, provider, protector and father. He started me out on my journey. I wanted to be a writer but didn’t know how. His instruction was simply this, “Read the bible son”.

I remember my uncle giving me my first exposure to the work world. He taught me my work ethics. In his words, “if you don’t have something to do, find something to do”.

In my second job, I had forgotten that and experienced the harsh reality of being fired. However, that lesson brought be back to my core and kept me humble.

Then there were two men who shaped my leadership style. They both helped me to recognize that leadership starts with a conversation.

The story does not end here and never should it. No man is an island, no man stands alone or should stand alone. Are you pouring into someone else’s life?

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3‭-‬6 ESV

Where Are the Men

Motivation for this Poem
After my father died it was difficult to connect with another male figure to be mentored. As such I retreated to connecting with females. However, along the journey there was always something missing. I found myself giving more then being mentored. Then I realize that for men to thrive we need the circle of other men.

Two are better than one, because together they can work more effectively. If one of them falls down, the other can help him up. But if someone is alone…there is no one to help him…Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone. (Eccl 4:9–12)

Where are the men
Popular culture says we are no good
Discarded and dejected
Yet I hear the question I can’t find a good man
And I wonder where are you from.

The circles we’ve created to grow and thrive
Have been dismantled and we’ve been ostracize
In what’s called its our time now
Leaving the gap of God’s careful design.

Title, tag, terms and names
Used as weapons to disgrace
Knowing at the heart of a man
Is his need for respect and his pride.

I often wonder where does this all come from
When alone we stand no longer as one
Even to ourselves we disgrace
And act against to get some praise.

It is time we recognize
That this is the enemy in disguise
Breaking the strand that can only defeat him
When as men we stand together believing.

We are called to be strong
For ourselves our families our fellow man
And guard against the opportunity
Of the enemy breaking the ties of possibilities

Let us together seek
To be men that will believe
To be fathers, husbands, mentors and strong
Breaking the lies that the enemy cons.

O. Stephen Peart. 2020 © All rights reserved.

Who is Pouring into our Young Men

Motivation for this Poem
This is a call to awaken our sensitivity towards the core issue that we are leaving our young men behind. We can’t expect young men to just get up and know exactly what to do to be the men they need to be.

Who is pouring into our young men
who is bringing them across the path
from boyhood to manhood
and taking them away
from the distraction of life’s cast.
Who is pouring into our young men
giving them a chance
to take on the next generation
their family, relationship
and being a father at last.
Who is pouring into our young men
teaching them the skills that they will need
to be men of valor,
caring, daring and living their dreams.

O. Stephen Peart. 2020 © All rights reserved

My father was Lynched

Motivation for this Poem
Slavery was not a new thing when our forefathers where brought to the Americas. What was new was the way they were treated. My Father was Lynched speaks to the life of our fathers. Men who lost their identity. Called and treat as boys.

My father was lynched
he was ostracized,
placed in a mold
where he lost his eyes.
Called a boy
given a title
placed in chains
that held his mind subtitle.

My father was broken
painted into a picture
that all he could see
was the structure.
On the walls, around the trees
in the laws and on the streets.

My father was crippled
of his manhood
displayed before his children
no longer he could
afraid to stand and be understood
and craft a new destiny.

O father, O father,
no longer a victim
O father, O father
I now see and stand for you.

O. Stephen Peart. 2020 © All rights reserved

A Father’s Note

Motivation for this Poem
When my daughter says, “dad, I just finished another exam”, I could hear the sense of relief and peace. A Father’s Note is a message of assurance from a father to a teenager.

Take them one at a time
Keep making your strides
Pace yourself as they come
Trust in God above.

You will face obstacles along the way
but know that I am here to pray
To hold your hands and say
You are strong and my daughter too.

O. Stephen Peart. 2020 © All rights reserved.

On this Father’s Day, celebrate fathers and seek to daily build up fathers to be strong. Express a word of encouragement to a father and tell them you love them.