Well here we are looking at father’s day, it is only a few days away so you better get your shopping done today. We all have father’s, maybe some of them are gone (some via death, some via personal decisions), but we all do have father’s. For many their father, or the relationship they have or had with him, may not be something to celebrate, but that does not mean that we should throw the good out because of the bad. Regardless of the bad father’s, bad father’s day gifts, bad relationships, bad decisions and bad stereotypical backyard BBQ’s, father’s day is a great day. Father’s day is the day set aside to celebrate a special man that is in each of our lives.
Father’s teach their boys how to become young men, their young men how to become adult men and their adult men how to be good fathers and husbands. Along the way, they are suppose to teach their daughters how a real man is suppose to be, and how a husband is really suppose too treat a wife. Father’s dispense sage advise to their children on all the issues that arise during their growth from the time they are infants until they are adults. Along the way fathers help guide their children through the tough decisions and the life challenges that arise. Father’s treat the mothers of their children properly and give them respect, again modeling correct behavior for their children. While modeling this behavior a father must still assure their wife of her value, beauty and constant wonder. If that is not enough, the father is also suppose to model the relationship that Christ has for the church by sacrificing his all for the good of those in his household and in his realm of influence. Wow father’s really do need a day, hey they may even need a full week.Unfortunately no man can be a perfect father, husband, leader, provider etc, so when we examine the majority of fathers we find a collection of men with lives full of broken relationships, failed attempts, should been’s, and inconsistent actions. Due to divorce, abandonment (both literal and emotional), lack of concern, and general apathy, today’s world is rarely comprised of ideal marriages, complete families and solid relationships. So, when we look at father’s day we should celebrate all the good things our fathers have done, and may even still do, for us, but we also have to realize that no father is perfect. A part of every real celebration must also include some reflections on how our relationship with our fathers, and how a father’s relationship with his family, could or should be better and different. A good father is really simply a man trying to be a better, more responsible man today then he was yesterday, while maintaining or improving the quality of the relationships that already exist in his life.
Many times today we find that the real “fathers” in people’s lives are not blood relations, but are men that have become mentors and directors in the lives of others. Maybe it is because of divorce, or abandonment, but good high quality blood fathers are rarer and rarer commodities as time goes along. Sometimes a step father feels that roll, but the majority of time the role of “fathers” is filled by the influential men in the lives of young people. Those influential men may be teachers, coaches, friends fathers, street thugs. or hoods. We must always remind ourselves that not all influences are good influences. My point here is that a man may becomes a segregate father for people without officially getting the title, and it is the duty of all men to be a good influence in the lives of those that cleave too them, even if they are not blood kin. Many times a reliable man may be the best example of a father that a young person ever see’s.The reassuring thing is that no matter how far a man may be from the ideal father, or role model, they can always go to God for direction, reassurance, and support. God is the ideal father. He is the good father. God is the father that sacrifices and gives His all for those that come too Him. He would never give His children bad or selfish advice, because He only wants the best for them. God’s nature is love and His means of direction are gentle, if we respond when He directs us. Like a good father though, God corrects the mistakes and wrongs of His children. He does not withhold the staff of correction from His children, yet He uses it on His creation out of love, and not out of anger. One of Gods greatest gifts to fathers, and humanity in general, is that He is there as a supporter, encourager, director, and advice giver for all that come to Him for direction. He forgives our failings and places us back on the right road. What a wonderful God we serve.
I pray that today you, male or female, find yourself in a great relationship God where you can mirror that too your family, your friends, your children, and all others you touch. God is blessing your work and your family if you allow Him to work through you. Rejoice in all that God is doing with, for, through, and too you today.
Ephesians 6:4 - Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Acts 5:29 Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead--whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. 32"We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.”
