You’ve heard the comment, “She\he is some father’s daughter\son.” Worldwide, the tradition of honoring fathers can be observed in many countries. It’s history is even biblical. The stories below shed light on why this tradition continues.
Campfire Stories:
The minister struggled with the topic of his sermon for the coming Sunday. It was Father’s Day weekend, and he wanted to cover the topic differently than he had previously. He was dissatisfied with any idea thus far, and his office waste basket was overflowing with wadded up paper.
A tap on his office door interrupted his mental struggle. Before he could reply, his college-age daughter peeked into the room. In a continuous motion, she began tip-toeing towards his sofa as if she had not already disturbed him. He peered over the rim of his glasses the whole time, and studied her glowing features. Warm thoughts filled his mind.
Young, exciting, full of life, and life’s adventures ahead.
Suddenly, concern swept across his face as she plopped down on a cushion. Is something wrong? It’s early afternoon. She never comes here at this time of day. He asked in a serious, fatherly tone, “Is there a problem? You want something?”
A warm smile filled her face as she stood and walked toward him. “Oh, nothing, Dad,” she gleefully replied warmly as she took his hand, and looked fondly into his eyes.
"I just wanted to tell you how much I love you.”
After a few minutes, she was out the door and on her way. The minister, with an ear-to-ear smile, closed his notes and reflected for a while on the warm exchange.
He had the perfect message to share for Father’s Day.
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The seasoned minister reflected on his message for the coming Father’s Day Sunday. He never hid his true story of not knowing his biological father or any other, as his mom had been married six times while he was still under adult age. “Kind of like a revolving door,” he described later in life. “Difficult to even remember names.”
Counseling as a minister, he observed how many attitudes were more and more expressions of, “it’s all about me.” Negative society characteristics had increased and the value of life had decreased. One tragic result: more than 80% of the young men in prison were raised without the guidance and tough-love discipline of a father figure living in the home. Not fair to shove this total burden on a single parent!
Daily on his knees, the minister whispered, “If not for the grace of God and His love, there I'd be! Help me be Your hands and feet for them!” He added, “Thank You for all who step forward to rescue us, to adopt us, to be our in-home fathers!”
A warm smile appeared. … My Father’s the best!
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