Structure(4 sections)
Structure has several facets.
Every man needs to understand them to successfully practice them.
An abode
As I said before, structure can be as literal as in having a place to live.
Many men who grew up without biodads - they lived with their mothers.
When a mother provides a son's housing, either by working or through a government program,
boys might absorb the notion that it is the woman's job to provide living quarters.
This perspective is not at all in the center of God's will.
In 1973, Billy Preston released a song 'Nothin' from Nothin'.
This song preached that if a woman wanted a poor man, she is responsible for everything.
But Billy Preston was raised biofatherless.
clip: Buster keaton 'three ages' 1923
Time schedules
Time, oxygen and God's love are the only things that are free.
Let's talk about time, because even though time is free - it has limits.
Successful people set and keep reasonable schedules.
Every facet of life has a different set of schedules,
and those who fail at scheduling, damage themselves and others.
New parents keep a schedule of the baby's feeding times.
Employers have time clocks.
Schools have class times.
Traffic lights have timing schedules.
Our breathing patterns follow our metabolic needs.
Our automobiles have maintenance schedules.
<-------- an easy way to get poor is to ignore oil changes)
Schedules are a mathematical way of giving proper attention to important parts of our lives.
We need to build and manage our schedules to minimize our difficulties.
Nearly every part of life has scheduled obligations.
1) When we buy a house, if we ignore the payment schedule, the house can be seized.
2) When we take a job, sign up for classes, or buy something on-time,
we make oral or written contractual agreements to follow some type of schedule.
If not met, some sort of loss or penalty will occur.
3) The laws of physical science create schedules that we must follow to succeed.
Oil changes, bowel movements, snow to be shoveled, are all things we make time for.
4) Social customs demand proper attention to scheduling.
Forgotten birthdays and ignored anniversaries can damage relationships.
Appointments are promises.
Forgotten appointments and other neglected promises can ruin a reputation.
(it isn't cute or 'flexy' to violate appointments.)
(it isn't cute or 'flexy' to violate appointments.)
meme from the internet
Safety & security
Men who provide structure in their relationships
offer safety and security to the people in those relationships.
Every father-at-home should be a trainer and overseer to his children.
Safety is more than knowing how to use a power tool or how to lock a door.
It is also knowing that water and electric power tools don't mix
and knowing there are places in towns and times at night
where no one, especially females-alone, should be out and about.
I've seen a lot of crime shows where the victim was a teen girl
who snuck out to meet a boy her parents didn't approve of.
The boy killed her after raping her.
Security is more that cameras on the property.
It is also knowing what people, websites and phone calls NOT to connect with.
ice meme
Compliance
One part of structure revolves around 'compliance'.
Things, done improperly, like speeding
will get you in trouble if you are caught,
and maybe worse...
Other things naturally resist compliance, like walking on ice,
which will likely cause problems every time,
because ice is a natural foe...
and when it hangs around gravity,
gravity also becomes a bad-boy.
Walking on ice demands a certain degree on compliance.
(learning to walk like a penguin)
Proper dads teach us compliance with laws, rules of physics and other things.
This brings us physical safety; and safety is one type of security.
STRUCTURE
Voting
We are often controlled by various other-entities.
Here is a solid truth:
* Every person needs to be nurtured and trained. (children and new employees)
* Every person needs to be regulated at times. (bedtimes, speed limits, etc.).
* Most people need to be directed (workloads and homework)
* Many people need to be controlled. (sports fouls and safety practices)
* Some people, sadly, need to be contained so the rest of us can be safe. (jail)
but:
* Every person also needs to have secure rights, as given by the US Constitution
and the Bill of Rights, with the power to appeal unjust treatment.
Simply-put, common government is the easiest, fairest, most efficient way
to grow and maintain a society that is safe for all, (if honest people are honestly elected.)
Different levels of Government, with the power to coerce,
helps us deal with distant strangers and next-door neighbors,
who consider themselves above simple human kindness and truthfulness.
The US Constitution, properly interpreted and enforced,
is good for all humans, from the womb to the grave.
Part of providing structure for our families
is securing a strong, safe government for our children.
We do this, in part, by voting properly,
and in part, by being good citizens.
And we will lead the safest life when we elect candidates
who value us from the moment of conception, like God does.