Fathers' Day

A father is a universal necessity for the continuation of generations, and they are created by God for God and his purposes.  A Fathers's role varies according to families but in God's plan, a father is to be head of a family; a spiritual head gaining wisdom, strength courage and discipline from the Spirit of God himself.   He has been called to be the provider, counselor,  and steady, conscientious captain of his household ship.  His responsibilities are grand, and the pressures that are before him are great. Father's tend to be the more logical of the sexes, and are often quiet spoken in the field of emotions. 

Each year we have a day designated to celebrate their lives and spotlight the role they have played in our lives.  In thinking about Father's Day this year, I am struck by the fact of the generational father's and the effect that each of them has had on my life. There are generations of the past that I will never know but the Fathers that I hold close begin with my granddad. He was my first hero, then my dad, my husband and now my son. All Dad's not just fathers.    All whom I adore and who have sprinkled my life with a love that will linger forever.

I think that often times we do take dads for grated not giving them the accolades and appreciation that they deserve. For those who  have taken hold of the responsibility of raising children and loving them and providing for them, do deserve to be recognized.  They have endured the challenges of parenting, forced the hand of work, made hard decisions, and have tried to manage their household and keep it floating when the storms of chaos and calamity have come rolling in. They have called on God for strength and wisdom and a mighty hand of relief, and taken the brunt end of many an unpopular course of action.

Today, we celebrate dads not just fathers, for their time, and patience and hard work.  God has made them to be able to stand tall in    the face of adversity and care for the family he has gifted them with.  It is not an easy job, by far, but a worthy call.  For  through the love of a dad, a child will know begin to know the love of Christ. And as they grow older, they will learn of provisions, discipline, trust and faith and a flowing amount of grace, all bountiful gifts through God the Heavenly Father.   The task of a father is daunting when seen through the window of Christ.  For by example, children follow. It is not so much what is said, as what is done. God gives earthly fathers to many but for all of us whether the father is present or not,  he maintains his role as a heavenly father. God is there to love us, guide us,  instruct us,  and let his grace to flow upon us.   Grateful am I the confidence that I always have him to go to and lean on. For his influence is the one that holds the perfect example.  I too am grateful for the love and  influence that my guys have had in my life, and on my children.  A dad starts our by being a son, and the generations follow behind, until that son one day becomes a granddad. May God's torch of Fatherhood be ever blessed.   

Proverbs 3:11-12

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, 
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves, 
    as a father the son he delights in.

These fathers are to be commended for the time, their sacrifice, their efforts, and their love.  For they are blessings that God has given to us, to respect, appreciate and to love. May God bless them and keep them as they look to him for continued guidance and direction.  

Dear Lord, today we celebrate the love of the dads that we have had, and the dads that you have blessed our children with, and the sons who will carry on the torch of being a dad themselves.  Thank you for your example that you have given them to follow.   Amen

Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!