‘FATHER’ IS A VERB

We celebrated Father’s Day at Redeemer Church London yesterday with three services, during which we prayed for and honoured the men within our community.

As part of this, our resident poet STEVE PAGE read out these wonderful words to help us reflect on why God is the ultimate example for us in how to be a father. Here is his poem in full:

‘Father’ is a verb.

Let me explain:

Father's Day and Father Christmas have tried to convince us, but don't be fooled: you can, may or will father depending on your mood - for ‘father’ is a verb.

It only works in the transitive: you can't father alone, only in relationship. It doesn't resent hospital trips and offers wrap-a-round comfort when a partnership splits.

It's touch-line volume drowns out all rivals and belly laughs come standard with jokes on recycle.

Yes, ‘father’ is a verb.

It's something you do despite the hour, it drives right on through the night when life’s gone sour. It'll hammer ten fingernails to get the job done. It’ll dance, heedless of decorum, forgetting reputation (with an ill-suited hat on).

It turns manliness into awesome-men-ness; to strength alone it adds a dose of gentleness, yes, ‘father’ is a verb.

It works in the singular: I can father; you can father. But it also works in the plural: we can father and they can father, because you see in this village it’s a joint activity - we father (and we mother) collaboratively.

It works best in the present tense, happening now, not ‘Later!’ It can be said in a gentle voice or something even quieter.

Sometimes active: directive, protecting. But often responsive:

just sitting, listening;

holding and hugging.

It responds to need you see, but works best proactively and works greater sacrificially.

For example, though it costs him dearly, God fathers us and through us daily. And one day, suit pressed, He’ll proudly walk with the bride of Christ.

And as Father of the bride, He’ll host the party and blow the price

with the biggest bar bill ever.

and at that heavenly feast

we’ll be sure to save at least one dance

for Father.

Oh yes, you heard - ‘father’ is a verb.

Father is A Verb

This Sunday was Father’s Day, and Steve Page shared one of his poems with us…

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Father is a verb.
- Let me explain:

Father's Day; and
Father Christmas 
have tried to convince us,
but don't be fooled:
You can, may or will father, 
depending on your mood.
For father is a verb.

It only works in the transitive;
you can't father alone,
only in relationship.
It doesn't resent hospital trips,
and offers wrap-around comfort
when a partnership splits.
It's touch-line volume
drowns out all rivals.
And belly laughs come standard
with jokes on recycle.

[insert joke here]

Yes, father is a verb.

It's something we each do,
despite the hour,
it drives right on through
the night when life’s gone sour.
It'll hammer ten finger nails
to get the job done.
It will dance, heedless of decorum
forgetting reputation. 

It turns manliness
into awesome-men-ness,
It tempers strength 
with a dose of gentleness, yes
father is a verb.

Be sure, whoever you are, 
it works in the singular:
I can father;
You can father

 (I'm not talking sex here, that takes a partner.)
But also, 
It works in the plural -
we can father; 
and they can father, 
because, you see, in this village
it's an joint activity:
we father (and we mother) 
collaboratively.

It works best in the present tense,
happening now, not "LATER!".

It can be said in a gentle voice
or something - even - quieter;

sometimes active: 
directive, protecting;
but often responsive: 
just sitting, listening;
...holding, and, hugging;

it responds to need, you see,
but works best proactively,
works great 
sacrificially.

For example, 
though it cost him dearly,
God Fathers us
and through us daily.
And one day, suit pressed, 
He'll proudly walk 
with the bride of Christ.
And as Father of the bride, 
He'll host the party and blow the price;
(BIGGEST bar-bill EVER)
And we'll be sure to save at least one dance
for Father.

Oh yes, you heard,
Father is a verb.

Transforming Prayer Poetry - Week 3

This week in our Transforming Prayer meet-ups we are talking about how we pray with confidence! This comes from a greater understanding of our Father in heaven and our relationship with him. In this week’s poem, Steve Page thinks about how our posture during prayer reflects our confidence that our prayers will be heard and answered by a CARING, CONSISTENT, CLOSE, COMPETENT Father.

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Strong knees and open eyes

Straight back and open ears

Strong voice and open hands

Straight through to the throne of grace