Name: Jacob Taylor | City: Dallas, TX | IG: @IAmJacobTaylor
What does being a father mean to you?
Fatherhood means more than the world to me. I am acutely aware of the high honor and privilege that it is to be entrusted by GOD with my son. I get to partner with my beautiful wife to help rear our prince into a wise king of lovingly solid character.
I enjoy the daily discovery of just how accountable to GOD and my son that I must be while trying my absolute best to teach/demonstrate to him how to learn himself, while exploring this “new world” he’s never seen before.
I do not always get it right. But I am encouraged to know that each day I grow a little bit more as a man, husband and father, while learning to see this world through my son’s new eyes.
As a man of color, I have the extended responsibility to help cultivate my son’s perspective and perception of GOD, our faith, himself, culture at large, etc.
I hope to instill a sense of unshakeable security in who he is (shall be) in regards to his Maker, his family, his calling and his life’s contribution to this world, no matter what is going on in this world.
Fatherhood affords me all of these duties and privileges. It truly is an honor too awesome for words at times.
Describe your experience with your father growing up and how that impacted you today.
Two words come to mind when thinking of my experience with my father, as I was coming up… Consistent & Caring. He was not perfect, but definitely worked at being an excellent, loving & present father everyday, real talk.
As I ponder the sacrifices that he (and my mother) chose to make in order to raise four sons into four “kingly” men, I must pause and thank GOD for my dad.
Pops recently turned 68 years of age. He is highly accomplished yet very grounded, and fiercely dedicated to his family. His commitment to our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, in my eyes, is unparalleled. Basically, he practiced what he preached, consistently.
He is an authentic Christian example of balance in love, priorities, family, ambition and achievement. Again, he is imperfect.
However, my childhood experience as it relates to my dad can be summed up in the following phrase: Faithful, Firm and Full-bodied. I had an amazing childhood.
What things did you take from your experience growing up into your own fatherhood journey?
Main Things: I embraced the reality of love and patience being the “currency” of communication within my family, especially with and towards my son.
My father demonstrated deep patience with me as I was coming up, despite my many, many, many errors and shameful moments.
Have you had any obstacles on your fatherhood journey?
Sometimes frustration becomes my own “obstacle” to dispensing my fatherhood duties in the right attitude.
What advice would you give others new on their fatherhood journey?
Love your children, but do not idolize them.
Pray with your children.
Pray for your children.
Enjoy the journey.
Develop a plan of leadership for your son (children).
Commit to learning.
Have a lot of patience with yourself.
Forgive yourself.
Invest in your children
If you could write a quick letter to your father, starting with “Dear Father,” what would you say?
Dear Father,
Thank you for your relentless commitment to me and my spiritual, mental and physical well being. I call you blessed. I look forward to training my son in the same full-bodied and robust way that you raised me and my brothers.
Thank you for everything.
Love,
Jake
Your 3rd prince
| List fathers you cosign. (Add their IG names) | |
|---|---|
| 1 | @vonprouse |
| 2 | @andreftaylor |
| 3 | @raphael_el.heals |
| 4 | @terrenceharrisart |
| 5 | @tyetribbett |
| 6 | @stylistjbolin |
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