This coming Lord’s Day has been set aside in honor of our fathers, those who have already passed from us and those who are living still. The worth of a good father, a godly father, cannot be overstated. Our nation suffers deeply today, largely because of a breakdown in the family. The absence of fathers in single-parent households is taking a terrible toll on early-21st century America.
Like many who read this, I am grateful to almighty God for having known—and having grown up with—a wonderful, exemplary father. He and my mother married about the time the Great Depression was full-blown. Their early years—bringing up five children in those meager times—was a hard, taxing, tedious life. In 1947, their lives became even more burdensome by the tragic drowning death of their 11-year-old son, my only brother. That “tragedy,” though, drove them to seek God; and the terrible loss of life in their household resulted in eternal life for members of our family, as we one by one became part of the glorious household of faith.
Dad never wavered in his devotion to his Savior all the rest of his life, until at the age of 94—having been married to mom for 72 years—God called him to enjoy, at last, his eternal rest. During his sojourning with us, by his walk of faith, he taught us so many practical principles of character: love for family, commitment to duty, enduring hardships without complaining, a work ethic that was impeccable, and so many other truthful traits. We, his offspring, will ever be indebted to his memory, with lingering love and gratitude.
Thirty some years ago, in admiration for my Dad on his 75th birthday, I wrote to him these lines:
“A father, guide, and counselor—
This is what a Dad is for;
Mine’s all these and more to me,
And for him, Father, I thank Thee.
A friend indeed, example true,
A man of strength and graces, too.
A beacon to the eyes of youth,
A lighthouse on the path of truth.
A man of prayer and wisdom sound,
In whom God’s Word was ever found.
A man of love and kindness rare,
Who lived to give and help and share.
Today Dad’s fourscore years less five,
And very much well and alive.
From God he’s had good years of health;
And gathered much of life’s true wealth.
So on your Day I wish you, Dad,
All the best to make you glad.
I pray God has for you in store,
Happy birthdays—many more.
And all the days that I shall live,
With heart and lips my praise I’ll give;
For father, guide and counselor—
All of these and so much more.”
An anonymous father wrote a letter to his son that reminds anyone who had such a father of the one we called “Dad.” It reads:
“As long as you live in this house, you will follow the rules. When you have your own house, you can make the rules. In this house, we do not have a democracy. I did not campaign to be your father. You did not vote for me. We are father and son by the grace of God, and I accept that privilege and awesome responsibility. In accepting it, I have an obligation to perform the role of a father.
I am not your pal. Our ages are too different. We can share many things, but we are not pals. I am your father. This is 100 times more than what a pal is. I am also your friend, but we are on entirely different levels.
You will do in this house as I say, and you cannot question me because whatever I ask you to do is motivated by love. This will be hard for you to understand until you have a son of your own. Until then, trust me. Your Father.”
Old-fashioned, some will say. And old-fashioned it is! But how’s the “new-fangled” method of rearing children working?
Happy Father’s Day, Dads!
“Give ear, O my people, to my law. Incline your ears to the words of my mouth…Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us. We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the Lord, and His strength, and His wonderful works that He hath done.” (Ps. 78:1-4)
YOU and GOD 