Present. This word denotes a gift or a state of being, and under the best circumstances, it can be both.

Children thrive when they have a father (or father-figure) engaged in their lives. A father’s smiling face and pitying care foster security and comfort. Ellen White counsels that fathers, coupled with the work done by mothers, have the opportunity to shape character (AH 191.1-192.1). Open this issue and discover several examples of men giving the gift of their presence in the lives of youth.

Salam Barakah has come to be trusted like a father by many of the Muslim young men who attend his soccer club, where he teaches not just soccer fundamentals but fundamentals of godly living (p. 26). Toussaint has become Big Brother to boys he and his wife Uli Baur-Kouato have taken into their home to help raise. The boys enjoy working in the fields with Big Brother Toussaint just like they used to do with their father before his passing (Kids’ p. 06).

Erin White’s parents were present not just for her and her brother as they grew up, but also for the older neighbor they took in, nursed back to health, gave a place to live, adopted as a family member and taught about Jesus, demonstrating authentic Christian living (p. 04).

Patricia Coker has a father who believes in her potential and encouraged her to become a Sabbath School teacher to the youth in their new church, even though she was nervous and wanted to reject the challenge. Now she not only teaches the class, having become their friend, but also leads many of them as a singing group on Sabbath mornings (Kids’ p. 04).

And being present as a father can be as simple as printing out coloring pictures for your children and their friends while teaching them English. Just ask Alison Tumberg (Kids’ p. 11).

As we remember our fathers or even consider our own fatherhood, let us be thankful to our Heavenly Father for His constant presence in our lives and the wonderful gift of His Son.

• Twitter