Our Fathers!

If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing! You are at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better? Matthew 7:11 The Message

This coming weekend is the time we set aside to gather as families to honor our Fathers. Although, it seems as if we have been celebrating this special day as long as I can remember, it was actually only made official in 1972 when, then President Richard Nixon, signed a presidential resolution proclaiming the second Sunday in June as Father’s Day!

Father’s Day was actually inspired by a woman, Sonora Smart Dodd from Spokane, Washington after hearing a Mother’s Day sermon. She proposed the idea in 1909, wanting a special day to honor her Father, William Smart, a civil war veteran who raised his six children alone after the death of their mother. It’s amazing that it took almost 70 years to make it official.

The celebration of Father’s Day seems to take a back seat sometimes to Mother’s Day. A small boy once said, “Father’s Day is just like Mother’s Day only you don’t spend as much on the gift.” Someone once said that “Fathers spend the first part of their child’s life teaching them to walk and talk, and the rest of the child’s life telling them to sit down and be quiet.” The reality is, where would we be today without our Fathers?

The word father is defined as a man who begets offsprings; a male parent, but a true father is so much more. A true father cares for his family. He attempts to show his children the way they should go in this world. He sets a good example, works hard, and protects his children. He loves unconditionally just like his heavenly Father.

It seems that each of us have or have had different experiences with our Father figure in our lives. No matter whether it is good or bad, I always remember what the Father in the Prodigal son taught us about a Father’s love. No matter what we have done, how we have behaved, when we come home to God there is no condemnation, only love and acceptance. I equate that experience with those of a true earthly Father.

The following story of Fathers is by one of my favorite humorists and authors, Erma Bombeck, and I share it with apologies for some of the changes I made!

When the good Lord was making Fathers He started with a tall frame. A female angel nearby said, “What kind of Father is that? If you are going to make children so close to the ground, why put Fathers up so high?” God smiled and said, “Yes, but if I make him child sized, who would children look up to?”

When God made a Father’s hands, they were large and sinewy. The angel remarked, “Large hands are clumsy and can’t handle diaper pins, buttons, pony tails, or remove splinters.” God smiled. “Yes, but they are large enough to hold everything a child empties from their pockets, yet small enough to cup a child’s face.”

Then God molded long legs and broad shoulders. The angel was aghast! “Do you realize you just made a Father without a lap?” God smiled and said, “A mother needs a lap, but a Father needs strong shoulders to pull a sled, balance a child on a bike, or support a sleepy head after a long day.

When God began work on the huge feet of a Father, the angel could stand it no longer. She exclaimed, “Do you think those big feet will hit the floor when a baby cries or manuver through a child’s birthday party without stepping on the little ones gathered there?” God smiled. “They’ll work – you’ll see. They’ll support a small child who wants to ride horsey, scare off mice, and display shoes that will be a challenge to fill.”

God worked through the night giving the Father few words, but a firm authoritative voice, eyes that saw everything but remained calm and tolerant. Finally, almost as an afterthought, He added tears. Then He turned to the angel and said, “Now are you satiisfied that He can love as much as a Mother?” The angel shutteth up!

Happy Father’s Day to all Dads on this special day. Thank you for the significant impact you have on the lives of your children, grandchildren, and all those who come after. I especially want to thank the fathers in our family! We are so thankful for the love, support, and guidance in all areas of our lives! We love you!

Thank you, Patsy Burberry, for sharing your beautiful painting of a special Father and son!