Index
Home Page
Get your own Free Home Page
Well once again we are beginning to prepare to pay tribute to our Father's as their special day of the year approaches. For me Father's Day holds wonderful memories and I look forward to it every year. Searching through stores, looking for that perfect gift for my dad, whom of course I always thought of as perfect. But for many this is not a day of happiness. Memories which cause pain and saddness often accompany this day also. So let us all show a little consideration for those around us who find this day hard to deal with.
Do we really need a special day in the year to pay tribute to our fathers? I think not. Every day should be special for the man who contributed in raising you. Who has loved, cared and been there for you when others where not. Your father played a role in shaping your life and making you the person whom you now are.
The man who fathered you may not necessarily be the one whom you call dad. The one you call dad, is the one responsible for raising you. He is the one who was always there for you when you were sick, hurt, lonely, sad or just needed someone to speak with and share time with. This person is the one is your real dad, the one whom you refer to and call dad.
There are many men not capable
of fathering children for one reason or another still, they carry a great
love for children in their hearts. If you really stop and think about
it, I'm sure somewhere in your past you will remember someone other than
your father who showed love, care and understanding toward you. How
many childless men come to the aid of their sisters, brothers, friends
or even strangers? Many of these men become "big brothers",
"scout leader" or join in other organizations which are to the benefit
of children. They do this out of the love they have for children, the love
they are willing to share with others. These men should also
be honoured on this special day set aside for Fathers. I think honoring
and showing our appreciation for these men express our deep thanks and
gratitude for their help. Father's Day is not just for fathers, but,
it is a day to show honour and respect to all men. On this day, the
second Sunday in June, why not invite one of these special men to share
in your joy and celebration, one who otherwise may be alone. It
may not be a big deal for you to share this day with them, but, to them
it could just be the highlight of their day. So, why not take a minute
and think about one of these men who may be alone and invite them now.
When I think of Father's
Day, I think of the love, the laughter, the happiness we shared as a family.
Father's Day was a special time for me as my father and I were very close
and shared a special relationship. We always spent the day as family and
participated in special activities set aside just for this day. This was
always a day for picnics, the day spent at the beach, playing ball and
generally having a wonderful time. As I got older, this week-end was a
time for me, my brother and dad to go backpacking. Leaving on the Friday
and returning home on Sunday in time for the special dinner Mom had prepared.
Yes, to me Father's Day is a time filled with happy memories and more to
come. Unfortunately, for many this day brings sadness for a variety of
reasons. Fathers' who have lost a child due to death, or those whose
child has gone missing, endure a deep ache within their hearts on this
day. Their arms ache to once again hold this child who is no longer
there and sadness overwhelms them. Due to divorce or seperation
their children may not have the opportunity to spend the day with them.
Many of these men are overcome with sadness, lonliness and often feel anger
and depressed on this day as they see Father's with their children smiling
and beaming with pride. This hurt goes deep within for them and even
though they may smile or laugh the hurt remains. For those abused by their
Father, this day is filled with memories of the horrors they suffered.
Many children are still living in an abusive home and honoring their father
is certainly not what they wish to do. For these children and those now
adults, this is a day filled with pain. A day which is hard for them to
relate to and share in the joy as others laugh and honor their father's
who had showered them with love. For them Father's Day is a mockery.
So, as we can see Father's Day is not always the joyous day which is portrayed
by the advertising industry.
Fatherhood a gift from
God
Adam, created by God was the first man and
father to exist in this world as we know it. So, if we go far enough
back in history we would discover that Adam is the father of all, the first
to father a child and we have all descended from him. Fatherhood is a precious
gift from God. The Lord, our heavenly father wants and expects his children
to honour their father and this has been decreed in his commandments. ("Honour
your father and your mother") Father's are also a special gift to their
children from God. Each father has a different personality and they come
in a variety of shapes and sizes. Their personalities and outlook
on life are shaped by their surroundings. Some may be strong, willing
to fight for their children. Others are easily intimidated, their
spirits broken. They don't have the strength to fight and just allow
circumstances to control them and their children. Each father is unique,
he is not like any other. When we become parents, we don't get a
manual telling us what to do. We learn from experience, but, it can
be made easier when we rely upon the guidance of God to help us.
Just as we are not perfect, neither is our
father. He makes mistakes, looses his temper, is not always available when
we need him. In some instances he may have abused or abandoned us.
There may have been times when we were deeply hurt by him.
Yet, he is still our father, the one who gave us life. We may detest
how he treated us and wish he had not been our father, but, we can't change
what happened. We have to learn to let it rest. We must learn
to forgive him, just as God has forgiven us our sins. If we can not
forgive our father and be at peace with him, these feeling lay dormant
inside us affected any relationship we may form with others.
What a wonderful Father's Day gift it would
be for both you and your father if the past could be put behind.
It can be done. Why not think about making peace this Father's
Day. Allow God to work in you both, to heal your wounds, to bring
comfort, to bring forgiveness and finally to have a relationship based
on trust and friendship. It will not be easy to do this and
there may be many set backs, but with God's help it will be accomplished.
Surely if God can love and forgive us with all our faults, we can find
it in our heart to forgive the one who gave us life, to put the hurt behind
and live in peace.
OUR ONE TRUE FATHER
When you think of it, we all have one father and
that father is the same for everyone. God, is our father. He is the one
responsible for creation. He has provided us with all our needs, shelter,
food, companionship and life. It was due to his deep love for his children
that Jesus was the lamb of sacrifice who died on the cross for our sins.
God's love for us is constant and unconditional. Even though we may turn
from him, not think of him or what he has given us, he still does not turn
from us but, watches over us. When we hurt, he also hurts for us. In times
of need, he is there for us if we just turn to him and ask. He is willing
to carry our burdens, to forgive us our sins, to love and protect us always.
When troubles overwhelm us and we don't know where to turn or even what
to do, he is there. It is at these times, he will wrap you in his loving
arms and carry you, easing the burden and bringing you peace. So, you see,
each of us does have at least one Father who is special and deserving of
our love and honor. So why not take a bit of time to pray and say thank
you to our Father above.
Get your own Free Home Page