The First statewide Father’s Day was celebrated in Washington State on June 19, 1910, thanks to Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower. Many men opposed the celebration as a sentimental attempt to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving. Some also saw it as a commercial gimmick to sell even more products, often paid for by the father himself. In 1972, Father’s Day became a federal holiday, and Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on gifts for this holiday.
“Words from Above” in the Bible tell us that fatherhood has always been promoted by our heavenly Father, who created the first father Adam.
The Bible holds up fathers as an example of how our heavenly Father deals with His children. Proverbs 3 tells us that like a father corrects his children because he delights in them, so the Lord corrects His children because He loves them. Likewise, Hebrews 12 tells us that like as children accept their father’s correction, God’s children need to accept God’s correction.
Malachi 6 tells us that God purposely inspires the hearts of father to love their children. One of the most important ways for fathers to show love for their children is to teach them the Word of God. Deuteronomy 6 advises fathers to teach the commandments of God diligently to their children. This includes speaking of the commandments when at home, when out walking, at bedtime, and first thing in the morning. It also includes writing them on things like bracelets, the doorposts of their homes, and on the gates to their properties.
In Matthew 7, Jesus speaks about fathers giving appropriate gifts to their children. He points out that a father would not give a stone to a child who asks for bread to eat, or a serpent to a child who asks for a fish to eat. He concludes that just like earthly fathers give good gifts to their children, our heavenly Father gives good things to those who ask Him for them.
The Bible speaks often about children giving proper respect, obeying and showing love for their fathers in return. III John 4 tells us that John the apostle wrote that that he had no greater joy than to hear that his children walked in the truth. He, of course, was speaking of his spiritual children, but the same no doubt applied to any natural children he may have had. Fathers may receive gifts of various kind from their children on Father’s Day, but a gift like this is invaluable. Likewise, for God’s children to walk in truth is an excellent way for God’s children to honor their heavenly Father.
Larry R. Steffee is pastor of the Center Hill Brethren In Christ Church on Miller Road in Smithville. Everyone is welcome to attend. For informa-tion, you may email lrsteffeetn@yahoo.com.
