Pray For Fathers, Especially Today

Father’s Day.

A myriad of emotions can fill this day.

It’s not always the happiest for some.

There’s the past: Difficult memories, unanswered questions.

There’s the present: Lack of understanding, miscommunication.

There’s the unknown future: Sickness, loss, confusion.

I can’t begin to touch on the many reasons this day can be a tough one. Your reason is personal to you. I mourn with you.

It’s tough for me, because I miss my dad. I want nothing more than to tell him one more time how much I love him. I’d give about anything to spend another day with him.

He passed away almost 16 years ago.

Not all of us, however, find Father’s Day difficult. For you, maybe it’s a joy-filled day. I celebrate with you.

I am blessed to have been raised by a wonderful father who loved me, who believed in me, who taught me to be independent. You can get to know him better here.

I’m doubly blessed to have married a man like my dad, who is an amazing father to our children. I sometimes watch him in awe. He excels in being a great dad, one who is invested in his children’s lives. Even now as they are adults.

He rocks this fatherhood thing.

This causes me love him even more.

If I may make one suggestion today (okay, maybe two), may we embrace this day for what it is.

A day to celebrate fathers everywhere.

father:  a man who exercises paternal care over other persons; paternal protector or provider

One doesn’t necessarily have to be a parent to be a father. I’m thankful for the many men in our children’s lives who have been role models and spiritual fathers to them through the years.

No matter how we feel about this day, or our dads, or ourselves, or our childhood, or our own fatherhood, may we take a moment to pray.

To pray for fathers everywhere.

To be encouraged in their role. To be strong, courageous, filled with wisdom, touched by God’s presence, and walking with their Creator, kind of men.

 

I want to congratulate all the men out there who are working diligently to be good fathers whether they are stepfathers, or biological fathers or just spiritual fathers. –T. D. Jakes

And today, may we turn our hearts, our minds, our lives to the Father who loves us most. Who created us. Who will never leave us. Who made a way for us to live with Him forever.