A Father as a Good Shepherd: A Letter of Dedication For Male NICU Caregivers

The world needs fathers. In the chasm of today’s uncertain times, the image of a father as protector, leader, and mentor almost seems distant or cliché. This role is often tainted by the bitterness of life, the contorted image scorched by men failing to arrive and manning their gifted roles. A father without its flock is but dust in the wind. Never fully settled. Never rooting a legacy. A true father steps into fatherhood never actually having a road map but relying in the mere courage and the unconditional love who guides him. Therefore, a father is a good shepherd.

As protector, a good shepherd is on constant alert of lurking danger. The responsibility of a good shepherd as protector entails not abandoning the weak or lost but rather vigilantly guarding, guiding, and correcting others with compassion. A shepherd’s watchfulness is paramount. He foresees the needs of his flock and anticipates a plan of action when his flock is in peril. A father also trusts in someone higher than himself and from his Creator he gathers the strength to lead faithfully, valiantly, and kindly. A father cherishes in the joy and peace his flock shares because of his efforts.

As leader, a shepherd must be a model of humility and service. While shepherding is not always glamorous work, a shepherd must engrave sacrifice and dedication into his inner core. During sacrifice, a shepherd may often endure difficult storms which may lead to fatigue and solitude. Sacrifice is an offering of oneself; it is the finding of one’s purpose in the torrential rains of life. A true leader gathers the experiences of life to himself and applies them to the betterment of his beloved. A father henceforth, places the needs of his flock before his own comfort, often leaving his 99 sheep for the 1 lost sheep.

As mentor, a shepherd seeks unity, intimacy, and relationship. Creating a bond of love with his flock will ensure a flock’s cohesiveness and resilience. A shepherd’s flock knows the shepherd’s voice individually, and they recognize his unique calling. A father who serves as mentor to his children will always be equipped to tackle the pertinacious hurdles of life. A father is always a mentor in all states of life and seeks opportunities to mentor his children well.

Our tiny patients are blessed to have incredible caregiving men at bedside who man their posts daily in efforts to bring our tiny patients’ comfort, healing, and joy. This reflection seeks to honor the image of those men who are fathers to the fatherless in our unit. Because of their gifted efforts, this unique role is graciously augmented by your role as good shepherds, inherently as good fathers. I finalize this reflection by Dr. Joaquin Molina description of a father:

Only a real man can answer the call to manhood. If a man fails to understand his genuine identity and fulfill his true calling in life, it will ravish other areas of his life. The absence of a man at home leaves the family without a proper anchor. The family suffers incredible devastation and the plague of fatherlessness when it loses the man as a main source of security, stability, and support. Each time a man loses his identity and abandons his role as a husband or father, he creates a great chasm, and an emptiness left many times to be filled by an illegitimate substitute and an imposter who will never be able to represent the true substance and legitimacy of his role.

I recently found a letter that was written to me in 2006 by my little brother who was 8 years old at the time. After 21 years, his words continue to inspire my nursing vocation as a shepherd whenever I revisit them: “I love you so much. You are my big brother. You are very special for me. Bye, William.” Tend to your flock fellow men as you may never know who may see and look up to you as father and shepherd.

Cheers to you,

Raul Rodriguez, BSN, RN