Mark Twain said about the memories of his father, "When I was a boy of 14 my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to the age 21, I was astonished at how much the old man learned in 7 years." We all have memories of various kinds about our fathers. Unlike mothers day where we always have the affectionate caring and always forgiving moms, father's day memories are mostly different. One time a little boy was asked to define Father’s Day and he said, “It’s just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the presents.”
We have choices of many things in life, but parents are not one of them. Marriage is a choice, divorce is a choice. But parents are given to us. As growing up, our expectations about our father change. A dad was carrying his 3 year old son on his shoulders while climbing a trail. He got tired and asked him, "Johnny, can you get down and walk a little while? I am tired." Johnny said, “you are my dad, you can't be tired.” At that age, fathers are heroes who can do anything. Later on as they grow into adolescents and teens, father becomes less fashioned and not fun to be around. When they go to college, father becomes an old man who does not know much. But things turn around as they get to 30's and 40's. They try to reach out to dad to ask opinions about jobs, children or future plans in life. When we grow older into the 50's and 60's we would be lucky to have our fathers in good health and alive, they become sources of immense wisdom and experience.
In many countries, it is now common to meet young people who do not know their dads. Most of those children have come face-to-face with their father at some point; but most have little regular contact with the man, or have any faith that he loves or cares about them. Our big city schools, foster-care homes and juvenile centers can tell stories of absent fathers. In many Western countries, having a dad is now a privilege.
St. Paul talks about the heavenly Father whom we get our names from. "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name." (Ephesians 3:15). The name we inherit when we become followers of Christ is not a choice. It reflects our character of who we are and what our mission is. In Malachi 1:6, God had to remind His people that He was their Father and their behavior needs to reflect their relationship to Him. When Paul calls God, the Father of Lord Jesus Christ, he means that we become brothers and sisters with Christ. Jesus said, "Do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, who is in heaven." (Matthew 23:9).
Paul says that a father is a leader who encourages. In his letter to Timothy he says, "As a father to his children, encourage, comfort, and exhort to live lives worthy of Christ." (1 Thess 2:11). Fathers are source of courage and strength. Our heavenly father protects and encourages us when we feel powerless and weak. "In Him we have boldness and confidence by faith." (Ephesians 3:12).
Judy brown is a United States pol volt athlete. She was being harrased and intimidated by her ex-boy friend. He would show up at her competitions and stared at her to instill fears. She was getting afraid and could not concentrate on the sports. She shared her fears with her father. He started going to her competition and find a place closer to her than the ex-boyfriend. Every time she feels afraid, she would look at her father's face and see him constantly watching. She says that had made her win many competitions later on. Her ex-boyfriend eventually gave up and left. Former U.S. President Barak Obama said, "Fathers, pledge to be there for your kids” “kids, pledge to be there for their parents.”
When we are afraid and initmidated by circumstances, our heavenly Father whom we have derived our names is watching us closer than anyone. If we look to His face, we will be strengthened and encouraged.
Blessings
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