Sarah D. Shearer

I find it uncanny that one of the most popular shows on network television at this moment revolves around the love of a father for his children and his wife.  It’s not about an emasculated man who is painted as the dumb, trapped- in- a- recliner, drinking- a beer -dad, nor is it about a womanizing, abusive man, that so many have come to think of when they think of the opposite sex.  

No, it’s about a father continually lays down his life for his children. He works hard to provide for them, works tirelessly to see each of his children for the individuals they are, and is committed to his wife, whom he adores. 

 Jack Pearson isn’t perfect, no human is, but our deep love for him, I believe, is a reflection of our even deeper need for the love of a father.  

Why are we so captivated by him? Why does he represent “goals” to us?  Even as he battled an addiction to alcohol, he was unwavering in his devotion to bettering himself, not for his sake, but for his family’s sake. 

I’m incredibly grateful to have had an amazing father, but I can’t help but wonder what so many think as they are watching Jack be the dad they wish they had. I wonder how many people watching lost their father at a young age as well, and still feel the loss as keenly as though it were yesterday.

Obviously, my father is still living, but I have come very close to losing him two times, and the head pounding heart searing, life altering seconds where you receive the news something has happened to the one you love the most is a feeling I’m unfortunately familiar with.  

I found out about my dad’s horrific car accident while I was at a little church in the mountains of Honduras. As people are talking to you and hugging you, you see their lips moving but you have gone deaf, mute. The person you always thought would be there is suddenly no longer  a guarantee.

I just find it interesting that what our world wants to see the most right now is a good father. Whether we will admit it or not we are desperate for strong, male figures. We are looking for the love of the father, whether we know it or not.  We are craving the love of Jesus whether we will voice it or not. 

We talk  a big talk about “equality,” but what woman’s heart doesn’t melt as she sees jack protect and provide for  Rebecca.  Something in all of us longs for a father, longs for the security of having someone look out for us, fight fire for us.

I cried as I watched Jack literally give his life for his family, and I thanked God for giving me back my dad, time and time again.

I mourned for my friends who have lost their dads, their rocks, their refuges.

I mourned for my friends who have had really crappy dads, who never showed up for them, or worse, abused them.

We all need a Dad.