Father’s Day is a special day to spend some extra time with your dad. An excuse to give him something you know he’s been needing or wanting. A special day to tell him again how much you love him and appreciate him. Does that sound about right?
I know plenty of people grow up without a dad, but many dads are there for their children and do a lot for them. They sacrifice a lot to make sure the whole family has the things they need. Things like food and clothing, and a roof over their heads. They help mothers to get the kids to school and to church, and to other places they like to go, like sports events, or a friend’s house.
Dad is there when you’re afraid. When you’re sick, when you need answers to life’s problems, or when you just need a hug. Father’s Day, once a year, gives us an opportunity to say “Thank You” to Dad for all the things he does. How did Father’s Day become so popular?
Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Washington, first proposed the idea of a “Father’s Day” in 1909. She wanted a special day to honor her dad, Civil War veteran, William Smart. His wife had died giving birth to her sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the baby and his other five children alone. After Mrs. Dodd was an adult she remembered all the sacrifices her dad had made while raising her and her siblings all by himself.
The first Father’s Day was observed on June 19, 1910, in Spokane Washington. Around the same time, in other towns and cities across America, other people were beginning to celebrate “Father’s Day.” In 1924 President Coolidge supported the idea of a NATIONAL Father’s Day. Finally, in 1966, President Johnson signed a proclamation that declared the 3rd Sunday of June as Father’s Day. *
Father’s Day has been around for a while, and it’s a great time for dads, but it shouldn’t be about what we may get from our sons and daughters on our special day. Jesus said, “It’s more blessed to give than to receive.” So Dads, see what you can give your children this Father’s Day. Whether they’re 2 years old, 22, or 42. Give them a hug. Give them some extra time. Play a game. Be sure to give them your undivided attention, not just on this day, but any time they have something to say. That’s very important.
As dads, more often than not, we make mistakes with our children. That’s because we’re human. But our heavenly Father never makes a mistake. He knows what’s best for us. Although we don’t always agree with what He wants for us, we must understand that he still knows what’s best.
On this special day, if your dad is still living, go visit him and spend some time with him. That’s what I did the day I posted this, several years ago. I had no idea that it would be the last Father’s Day I would spend with him. No one lives forever, and the older your dad gets, the greater the chance he may not be here another year. If he lives too far away, be sure to give him a call. Let him know how much you appreciate him. If you don’t have a good relationship with your dad, do all you can to mend it. You’ll be glad you did. Forgiveness is a blessing, and Jesus tells us it’s very important.
The thing is, you don’t have to wait a whole year to do all these nice things for your dad or to get him something or spend time with him. Make time for him all year long. If your dad has passed away, then think about some good times you had with him, then talk to someone about him. Recalling those special times will be a blessing to you and to others as well.
As I said, some people don’t have a dad. Either he was never around, or he has passed away, or maybe you never knew him, but we still have a Father. Our heavenly Father is always there for us. We can have a Father’s Day with him every week. The seventh day Sabbath is a day that God made for us to rest and spend time with him because he loves us and wants to spend time with us.
One last note: In Matthew 23:9, Jesus says, “Do not call any man on earth FATHER because only One is your Father, and he is in heaven.” This is not a popular teaching but it’s the truth. What you do with it is up to you, but always remember your heavenly Father, and be sure to spend the day with him every Sabbath.
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Updated July 2023
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