Optimist Roundtable 6/17
By Martha Sykes
Years ago, a man by the name of Dr. Charlie Shedd held a contest called “One Neat Dad”. He asked the contestants to send in letters recommending their dad for this great honor. The number one attribute that young people put at the top of their list about what they appreciate about their Dad was “He takes time for me!” At many baby showers that is one bit of advice given to new parents ;”The best thing to spend on your children is time!”
Well, this Sunday many will take the time to celebrate Father’s Day, which is the day set apart to salute all fathers. A day to show our appreciation for those that we called Daddy in our lifetimes, whether they are living or no longer in our physical presence.The role of being a Christian father is more important in today’s world than ever before.
When our generation was growing up, it was a time when dads worked to support the family and many mothers stayed home. Of course, things have changed over the years, and in many homes, both parents work outside the home.Being a dad today is a lot different than it was years ago. In some homes, the dad is the one nurturing children while the mom is out working.There are also many single parents raising children today.
Thinking about back in Jesus’s day, it was the father in a Jewish home who had the primary responsibility for his son’s religious instruction. Of course, as we read the scriptures, we know that Jesus had a very special relationship with God, His Heavenly Father. Joseph must have been a very influential model for Jesus as he raised Him with Mary.It makes us realize that it is important that just as Jesus did, we need to have a wonderful relationship with our earthly father, as well as our Heavenly Father.There are many who have been blessed to have had a father who loved the Lord in their lifetime and that made a difference in their faith journey.
There are some dads who are not a biological father to their children, but are great step-dads.Some men are “like” fathers to some who haven’t had a dad in their lives for one reason or another.On this, and every Father’s Day, we honor all fathers in every situation. Our Heavenly Father loves each of us unconditionally, and as we live on earth, we are to love that same way. Unconditional love, simply put, is love without without strings attached. It is not based on what we do in return. It is that love that is offered to us every day by Jesus. We always have our Father in heaven to pray to just as Jesus did.
Some people have learned a great deal about unconditional love through their earthly fathers.Whether they were loved by their biological fathers or not, or if their real dads did not spend time with them, they will still have that love for him because he will always be their “Dad”, present or not.On this special day, thank God for being our Father and pray for our earthly fathers everywhere.For those who are celebrating their very first Father’s Day, hope it is a great day to spend time with your new little miracle!
