Today is a day set aside to remember and pray for our fathers,
those who are with us and those who have gone before us and brought us to this
point in our lives.
Fathers Day is a day we celebrate the role of fathers in our
lives. It is normally a day of joy
and congratulations, maybe a little sadness as we remember those of our fathers
who have gone before us. But, it
is more than that, it is a reminder of what a father’s role should be. Scripture puts the father at the head
of the family, not as a dictator, but using Jesus for as an example, to give
his all for his family; up to and including his earthly life if needed. Done right, it is not easy; not done
right it is not acceptable. It is
a special responsibility. A father
is to be the spiritual head of the family, a provider of both spiritual and
earthly needs, the protector, commander, president, judge and most of all - the
leader. To lead, you must be ahead
of those you lead. Lead means,
follow me; not, head that way. A
father must live his life for his family.
The role comes with privileges, but the privileges are granted only to
those who fulfill the responsibilities.
Those responsibilities are awesome, but the rewards incredible. Yet, as a father, I assure you, in the
words of Paul, we all fall short.
But that does not mean we should give up, but rather we must redouble
our efforts.
I share with you a poem in a Fathers Day card I received. I can tell you I have fallen short, but
it is clear from the card what I must do in the coming year:
Only
A Dad
Edgar A. Guest[1]
Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.
Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.
Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.
Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.
From
the book "A Heap o' Livin'" ©1916
When we remember our fathers, we remember not only those who
brought us into this world, but also those who have gone before. We stand here in the present only on
the shoulders of those whose actions and leadership got us here. As fathers we know we are not perfect,
nor were our fathers, nor theirs.
For the sins of the fathers upon
the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the
fourth generation. (Exodus 34.7) We need be mindful of that when we live our lives. We serve as a model for our children
and grandchildren, as well as others who see our lives. Living as a father gives one greater tolerance
for the errors of their fathers and an appreciation for the pressure they were
under. One can only marvel at the
job they did.
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ay God grant each father the strength to live
their life in a manner consistent with our duty as a father, husband, brother;
and to fulfill the promise we made to God and Family when we accepted the role
as a father. We, each of, us fall
short, but ask God’s help to meet the challenge, all this we ask in the Name of
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen
God • Honor • Country • Family
[1]
Edgar A. Guest – 20
August 1881 – 5 August 1959
Born in Birmingham, England. He and his
family moved to the United States in 1891. He worked at the Detroit Free Press
in Detroit, Michigan. He started there as a copy boy then as a reporter. He had
a radio show and a television series. Guest has written 11,000 poems. His
sentimental and optimistic poetry are inspiring and enjoyable to read.
