This Sunday will be Father’s Day. The church doesn’t really celebrate secular holidays like Valentine’s Day, Hallowe’en, Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, although, over the years, some traditions have slipped into our worship. I remember that Mother’s Day always meant flowers worn to church – red if your mother was living, white if she wasn’t. At some point, the United Church asked us to re-name the day “Christian Family Sunday” and it became a celebration of all the various ways we find family in our lives. And we still slip in some word or two about Moms. But Father’s Day never seems to get the same attention.
In elementary school, I noticed, that the crafts for Mother’s Day were amazing, well thought out, planned weeks in advance. While the take-home for Father’s Day, late in June when the craft supply cupboard was pretty well empty and even the most creative of teachers were running low on inspiration, was kind of anemic.
At church, the day often coincides with some other event: the Sunday School picnic or First Nations Day of Prayer, for example. So, a few days early, I’d like to acknowledge all those who have been fathers to us: birth fathers, adoptive fathers, uncles, grandfathers, Big Brothers and single moms. Thank you for all you do. Thank you for raising us to be the people we are.
A Prayer for Father’s Day –
author unknown
Loving God,
You are the one who knows how absolutely special fathers are.
You made them that way.
How else can a man work so hard, give so much, and love unconditionally,
without your strength and your example?
So first, thank You for fathers, for daddies.
For big, strong men with tender hearts,
with hands that are calloused and rough,
yet so soft and gentle when hearts need mending.
God, help children to delight this day in being with their dads,
even if it must be only by phone.
May the precious memories flow, and bring laughter
and new love and appreciation.
Please take care of our dads.
Though they are brave and protective, they must also be frightened sometimes, when money runs low, when we need things, when we're hurt or sick.
When their hearts break because they can't do it all, please help us to let them know how much we love them.
And how much
You
love them.
God, forgive the men who know they are not good fathers,
and help them to know when and if they can make things better,
with Your help.
And for those Dads who keep trying and keep loving after messing up so many times, help their children to love them even more in return.
For that Dad who has lost a child, please let him know You are there, right beside him, for nothing else can heal a heart so torn.
For the father who is parenting alone, strengthen him with your love.
For those whose father is already with You,
Give him a hug and tell him it's from his children.
And you, too, Lord. Happy Father's Day!
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Rev Kathi
