Some of those days are sometimes celebrated each year and one of those is Father's Day. The idea behind making this a special day for dads is good. With the weird ties, bad cologne, ceramic hand prints of our children, to cards and hugs, Father's Day is celebrated in many ways.
This
piece of writing is to try to create a kind of memorable collage of a
father's journey through his own life. Not necessarily my own, but
fathers all over the world. Some fathers have mentored their children
well, and some fathers, who for one reason or another seemingly failed
at what fatherhood was supposed to be. Some of us have lost our fathers,
some do not know who their father is, or if they do, where he is or why
he left. There are people looking at Father's Day today from all sides
of the role and relationship of fatherhood. 
We have all had a father, many have become father's, some will be
step-fathers, and help try to raise another father's children, and some
will have been let down and hurt by a father they cannot seem to
forgive.
They are men who were sons
Each of our fathers were one day sons. They learned a lot about fatherhood from the fathers who raised them. Some were raised well and some were not. Some have experienced great sorrow in their pilgrimage to fatherhood and some had no idea how incredibly important their relationship and example would mean to you.
They are men who were the best father we needed
There are fathers who in spite of their own experiences as a son, or personal hurts growing up that became the father that was the best of the best. Some of you have been gifted by great fathers who seemingly did it all right.
They are men who made mistakes
All
of us were provided with a father that did some things right along the
way, in spite of their failings. It is no easy thing to be the provider
of financial, relational and spiritual resources, but for all of us, it
is possible to do the best that you can. We will all let our children
down in some way or another in this life....it is inevitable for fathers
are as imperfect as we are.
They are men who often kept their pain to themselves
Many boys were taught to never cry, don't share your feelings, always be strong, and never be vulnerable. That is what society and their fathers and grandfathers taught them.
Most men keep their personal pain and sorrow to themselves and have seemed distant to their children because of that choice.
They are men who have hurt their children
There are fathers who have hurt their children deeply and in some cases intentionally. Others do not even realize that their long hours at work, on business trips, being a soldier or a farmer or a business owner have children who may have felt abandoned by them and have never shared that with their fathers. There were missed birthdays, school plays, Christmases, or times when a child needed their father to be there more than any other person in the world.
They are men who will often have regrets
Fathers
will always have regrets. If you are a father reading this remember
that no one on this earth will ever be the perfect father. If you have
failed your children ask their forgiveness and forgive yourself along
the way.
They are men who need our praise for what they tried to do
Take a moment to thank your father for what he tried to do with what he had. That can be in person, across the miles or with a prayer that he would hear the echo of wherever he may be.
They are men who need our forgiveness for their failures
Let
your father know that you have forgiven his failings or the things that
have disappointed you, let you down or hurt you in life. Let it
go....release him from that prison of his own guilt and free yourself
from the burden of carrying the load of it.What we can Cherish as we Remember our Fathers
Cherish each special memory that has made you a who you are.Make a list of only the special memories that you have had with your father. If there are photos, make up a poem, a story or a card, and if you can send it today to him. If you cannot send it, save it as a cherished reminder that he gave you those memories and experiences.
Cherish the significant lessons they Taught you about life
Thank
your father for any of the lessons that you learned that came directly
from him to you. Let him know or remind yourself that life teaches us
through many experiences how to be the person that we have become. The process is full of mistakes and successes.Cherish them as imperfect men who were in your life for a reason
There is a strength in knowing that God has sovereignty over the things that touch and impact our lives, especially those that we had no choice in.
God is the Only Perfect Father
the world will ever have the privilege to have
He will never abandon you
“Lord,
you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the
mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world, from
everlasting to everlasting you are God.”
Psalm 90:1-2
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
He will be by your side your whole life
“Save
me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep
mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the
floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine
eyes fail while I wait for my God.”
Psalm 69:1-3
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
Jesus Christ, His Son gave His Life so that you could be His Child
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. “ John 14:6
Receive that gift this Father's Day as the Greatest Gift ever given
Take
a long walk today and talk to your
Heavenly Father and wish Him a Happy
Father's Day. It must be tough to have so many kids that blame Him for
things that are not His fault, He doesn't get much credit for what He
does do for us each day, and He is lonely for our love and wants us to
spend time in The Quiet Place with Him alone.
Take a moment to listen to a Father's Heart poured out in a simple song:
Welcome Home by Brian Littrell
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