Father's Day is traditionally a day on which we recognize
the efforts of our fathers to provide for and care for their families. Many
make this a special day with a special breakfast, phone calls to those who are
separated by miles or visits if you are near. Perhaps taking them out to eat
and even gifts to recognize them. That's great and I am thrilled that so many
are able to do that, it is as it should be. Deuteronomy 5:16 told the
Israelites (and the example travels on to us) "Honor your father and your
mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and
that it may go well with you in the land the LORD your God is giving you.”
There are inherent in this day some problems, the first of
which is that there are those of us whose fathers have passed from this life
and we can no longer let them know how much they were appreciated. That brings with
it another set of problems, as we sometimes get buried under a load of guilt
called, "I wish I had". "I wish I had been a better
son/daughter". "I wish I had told them…" We can honor them by
simply remembering them and living a life that would show honor in our own
lives.
Then there are some whose fathers are abusive, non-caring,
unloving or have even deserted their families. It's hard to show love to
someone like that. How do you love the unlovable?
And then there are some who never knew their father at all,
perhaps they died or departed or refused to accept the responsibility for them
before they were ever born. That brings about a position of choosing in our
lives. Choosing whether to love them (or at least not hate them). The Greek
word used most in the scripture for love is "agape" which literally
means to desire the best for someone. It doesn't have the meaning of embracing
or even desiring to be with someone, but to truly hope that all things work out
to their good, which of course would be for them to have their life right with
God, no matter what their situation.
So, sometimes even our fathers are unlovable, they are not
perfect, in fact sometimes they mess up big time and then what are we to do?
Maybe we should ask ourselves, "What would Jesus do?" You see, God
loves the unlovable; ("But God has made clear his love to us, in
that, when we were still sinners, Christ gave his life for us." Romans
5:8 BBE) Would you think then that
he would expect you and I to do anything less, not just on Father's Day, but
all days.
Whatever your situation, I pray that you will honor your
father while you have him with you. If you can't do that, then love them with a
love that hopes for the best for them in their relationship to God.
