Today is Fathers’ Day 2022. I plan to attend the 11:00am service at my church in person this morning for the first time since the lock down for Covid-19 over two years ago. I read somewhere that if you think back on your childhood and your father and smile, you were raised by a wonderful man. I certainly fall into that category. The most important thing he showed me by example is that a strong man can show emotion. He never missed an opportunity to hug me and tell me he loved me and was proud of me. I saw tears run down his cheeks when someone would tell him a sad experience. I watched him break down completely when my mother died, but he pulled himself together to help me and my brother get through the funeral and burial.
After my father died and my wife and I weren’t able to have children, this holiday lost most of its meaning for me. After my wife passed away, The Holy Spirit prompted me to stop feeling sorry for myself. He pointed out all of the younger people I have mentored and continue to mentor personally and through my blog; people young enough to be my child, grandchild or even great grandchild. One of my favorite pastors calls me grampa Jim. I hope I have been a strong and positive father figure to each of them.
As Christians, we have a perfect and loving Heavenly Father we can turn to for support and guidance every day in prayer. He is a father figure we can always depend on, even if our earthly father wasn’t dependable. If you are a father, look to God to help you give your children a reason to smile when they are grown and think of you.
If your father is still living, make his day, not just today but every day, as only a loving son or daughter has the power to do. Keep him a part of your life in spite of the daily pressures of raising your own family. Some day you will lose the opportunity to call him or see him. I miss my dad, but I look forward to being with him again some day.