Published Jun 13, 2023
The other day I got a hold of an article that said Father’s Day now ranks #20 on the list of most celebrated holidays. The list went on to say that Christmas was #1 and Mother’s Day was #2. I thought to myself, …well, the first two make sense. First is Jesus (as it should be), second is mom (I can see that),… but I really couldn’t think of 18 more to rank before Fathers! 😂🤔 Still, let’s rejoice with all the fathers in the world……..
Growing up, I wanted to be my dad, talk like him, walk like him, and even play soccer like him. My dad could do no wrong. I praise my Heavenly Father that the man I looked up to is also a child of God. My father, my hero, became my brother spiritually.
Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This is perhaps the single most important bible verse explaining the responsibility of a father; to train their children, to guide them so they can one day become fathers themselves.
Through scripture -and many good talks with my father- I learned that, as a man, I needed to keep some things in mind. I’d like to share with you some of his principles that continue to be of great help to me and, now, to my own children, who are Fathers themselves.
- Be responsible for my own actions, first and always
- Always choose to be kind
- Honor your word
- Be present always
- Learn to forgive
- Love your children, imitating Jesus’ love for us all.
As years go by, I have learned that the perfect example of a father is our Heavenly Father, someone we can trust, rely on, and know He will always love us unconditionally. Scripture reminds us of who our loving Father is:
Isaiah 64:7 “Yet Lord, you are our father, we are the clay and you our potter: we are all the work of your hand.”
1 John 3:1 “See what love the father has given us, that we should be called children of God, and that is what we are.”
As we celebrate fathers around the world, let’s be reminded that we have the perfect example in God as our father. Let’s imitate Him by loving our families and taking care of them. The world needs to know how great the love of our Heavenly Father is, and how protected and embraced everyone can be by knowing the Perfect Father.
Fathers, enjoy this privilege and responsibility God has given us to train, educate, and love our children. Have fun, relax, don’t do nothing, but always give thanks to God.
Blessings
