"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Happy Father's Day weekend, Girlfriends!
Whether your earthly father is living or passed on, I pray you will honor his life before the Lord this Sunday.
Fathers seem to battle for recognition behind the mamas of the world! History proves my claim: After hearing a sermon about Mother's Day in 1909, a young woman from Spokane, who was being raised along with five other siblings by her widowed, Civil War veteran father, decided that he too should have a day of honor. She spoke to her pastor about the idea and began promoting Father's Day; however, the road to official recognition was long and tumultuous, culminating in 1972 when President Nixon signed the law recognizing the third Sunday in June as Father's Day.
Why is it so difficult for many people to adore and celebrate their father? I mean, picking out that card takes forever compared to the one for mom: every card seems like it was written just for mom, but I have to read ten times as many Hallmarks to find the one that fits dad. And then I settle on the "funny" vs. the "sentimental" and I am not even sure why.
I asked my daughter the question I just posed above. Her response provided some insight from a teen perspective, yet I believe has universal truth in it. Basically, her answer included today's key verse. Dad is the one who is a continuous source of strength, emboldening children to show courage and to conquer fear. He is the hidden force behind each battle fought, and as a child, we look to dad expecting not only to find him present but also rock solid and prepared to charge forward should we need back-up. In contrast, we look to mom for arms to hold us and a shoulder upon which to weep, for comfort and care, even when she includes encouragement, inspiration, or advice into her nurturing.
Leaning on dad and expecting his presence should not diminish our ability nor desire to thank and praise him. Yet somehow we often interpret dad's strength as a wall against weakness, and we associate weakness with passion and emotional expression. Hence the difficulty in choosing that appropriate and meaningful Hallmark card over the humorous or light-hearted sentimental one.
And then God steps in...our Father in heaven...our ultimate example of what it means to be a dad. And what does He have to say about all of this? Girlfriends, be encouraged, because the pinnacle source of strength, encouragement, guidance, defense, and rock-solid love says go ahead--glorify me! Honor me! Thank me! Remember me in all your days on earth! God is not embarrassed by our songs of praise and admiration; He is not diminished in His authority or power because we call out to be held by Him, to be loved by Jesus, or to be adored in His eyes. Actually, He instructs us to do so, and also makes statements about those who choose NOT to praise the Lord:
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn't worship him as God or even give
him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was
like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:21 NLT
Ladies, your heavenly Father wants your gratitutde and worship, and He wants you to extend the same to your earthly fathers. Do not hold back--strength does not preclude affection, adoration, or thanksgiving. Shower dad with love. And praise God as well.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Psalm 107:1 NIV
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30 NIV
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15
Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. Exodus 20:12
Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Proverbs 23:22
So if you haven't yet, go ahead and send that sappy, sweet, sentimental card that pronounces your deepest emotions and love for your dad. Or buy both if you cannot resist a laugh as well! I think dad will appreciate either one. If your father is no longer with you, maybe buy him a card and write it all down anyhow. Finally, ladies, I know for some of you I am speaking Greek...your relationship with your father is so broken and unrelated to anything I have written today. I pray for you to come to Jesus with that pain. Lay your hurt at His feet and ask for healing and restoration. But also know that although sin has overtaken your earthly relationship, your Father in heaven is perfect, loving, and kind, and He waits with open arms for you. He loves you with every ounce of strength in His being, because God is love. Go to Him!
Have a blessed and beautiful weekend, wherever you are!
