The other day I was watching a feel good movie called Real Steel. A great movie I must say. I mean who wouldn’t enjoy giant robots smashing themselves to bits at the screams of the people? On the surface, it’s just another story of the underdog triumphing against all odds.
The thing that struck me the most was the story beneath the metal carnage; a story of a father creating a relationship with the son he never knew existed. Now this was for me the true highlight of the film.
You see, before meeting his son, this guy was selfish and unfocused in his endeavors. A has-been pro boxer who is now deep in debt, appearing in backwater arenas to place his robot in fights to the death.
However, when the son enters his life, he starts seeing things a different way, he learns how to put someone ahead of himself and very importantly, he learns to dream again and believe in himself.
There is a way you begin to see the son affirm his father and encourage him to be the great man he used to be which culminates in a scene where in the final fight, the son urges the father to take manual control of the robot which has had its audio receptors destroyed.
The son believes the father’s excellent boxing skills can guide the robot to win the fight but the father still feels he is a has-been. The complete trust and love from his son gives him the confidence to win the fight. In that moment I realized a very fundamental truth.
Fathers need their children too!
Yes, we’ve heard over and over how children need their fathers to speak life, blessings and love into their children in order for them to become wholesome esteemed individuals. However, who speaks into the fathers? And whose voice is louder, more sincere and loved filled than that of his very own children?
God made it in such a way that children see their fathers as super heroes. Children will always say things like “My daddy can beat your daddy”. Hopefully it’s true when they do cause they could get you in quite a spot of trouble with the school bully’s huge dad.
But the point is, children have a very powerful voice of influence on their fathers. There are few things that fill me with strength after a hard unsuccessful day like my daughter looking me in the eyes and telling me she loves me. This helps me get up and fight again.
In the movie, the sons influence turns this father from a has-been into a legend. Our children do the same for us. So to all my brothers out there, take time to let your children speak to you and build you up.
So today, remember in as much as your children need you, you need them too!
Shalom
I am an billionaire entrepreneur in-training, digital artiste, budding writer/ speaker, husband/ father and one of the sons of God. I don't claim to know the way to a truly wealthy life but I am merely a student, an apprentice seeking the path and sharing my learning's along the way.
Hi my name is Kizito Katawonga and I’m the Apprentice, host