In a
letter written to Mary Hunter Austin in 1918, Thomas William Hodgson
Crosland said, “In my years of searching the scriptures and observing
the lives of men, I have concluded that the very best sermons are those
that are preached by those who sermonize by example rather than by
oratory words.” If the best sermons are good examples, how well are
fathers preaching in today's society?
Father's Day
In 1909, Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, heard a sermon on the need to set aside a day to honor mothers. The sermon inspired her to petition for a day to honor fathers, and in particular her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and a widower for 21 years, who raised her and her five siblings after the death of her mother in childbirth. Her efforts eventually paid off, and on June 19, 1910 the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential order declaring the 3rd Sunday of June of that year as Father's Day. The order was renewed each year thereafter until 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed Johnson's presidential order into law and proclaimed the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day from that year forward. The example that Sonora Louise Smart Dodd's father set—his unselfish devotion to, love for, and support of his children—became a lasting tribute for all fathers through the observation of Father's Day.
What fathers want from their children
More cards and ties are given to fathers on Father's Day that at any other time of the year. And rightly so, because usually the first thing that comes to mind when children think of Father's Day is, “What can I get him to show my love and appreciation?”
Certainly fathers love to receive cards, gifts, and items to show how much they are appreciated. More often than not, however, a gift is not always what a father looks for from his children. Instead, fathers want open expressions of love (even if they themselves cannot always express their feelings openly)—a visit, a hug and a kiss on the check, eye-to-eye contact accompanied by the words “I love you,” a cook-out, or a phone call if he is away from the children.
For those whose fathers are no longer living, they can be assured that their fathers remembered and cherished their love, honor, reverence, and respect far longer than they did the ties.
What children want from fathers
Whether children are believers or not, God has placed within each person's heart the truth that the father/husband should be the head of the household. Even though this destination and fathers' responsibilities many times can become troublesome and are skirted, God's truth still remains.
Fathers/husbands are the ones who will stand before God on behalf of their families and give an account of how well they fulfilled their responsibilities as leaders and heads of their homes. No one else can stand before God and represent their families. Therefore, within all people is placed the need for them to regard their fathers as leaders and household heads.
This being the case, children want and need the following from their fathers.
The Word of God is very distinct on what God expects from fathers. God expects fathers to be:
Jesus is our perfect example of a Son who loved and respected His Father, and God the Father is a perfect example of how fathers must love their children. As we pause and honor our fathers on this year's Father's Day, let every father ask, “What am I passing on to my children? Is God the Father my personal example?” and let every child ask, “What have I learned from my father? Can I proudly pass along his legacy to my children? Is Jesus my personal perfect example?” The responsibilities are great, but the legacy passed on by fathers will last for generations to come, long after they are gone.
Bản Dịch: Cha Của Chúng Tôi_bởi Crown Financial Ministries
Father's Day
In 1909, Sonora Louise Smart Dodd, of Spokane, Washington, heard a sermon on the need to set aside a day to honor mothers. The sermon inspired her to petition for a day to honor fathers, and in particular her father, William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran and a widower for 21 years, who raised her and her five siblings after the death of her mother in childbirth. Her efforts eventually paid off, and on June 19, 1910 the first Father's Day was celebrated in Spokane. In 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential order declaring the 3rd Sunday of June of that year as Father's Day. The order was renewed each year thereafter until 1972, when President Richard Nixon signed Johnson's presidential order into law and proclaimed the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day from that year forward. The example that Sonora Louise Smart Dodd's father set—his unselfish devotion to, love for, and support of his children—became a lasting tribute for all fathers through the observation of Father's Day.
What fathers want from their children
More cards and ties are given to fathers on Father's Day that at any other time of the year. And rightly so, because usually the first thing that comes to mind when children think of Father's Day is, “What can I get him to show my love and appreciation?”
Certainly fathers love to receive cards, gifts, and items to show how much they are appreciated. More often than not, however, a gift is not always what a father looks for from his children. Instead, fathers want open expressions of love (even if they themselves cannot always express their feelings openly)—a visit, a hug and a kiss on the check, eye-to-eye contact accompanied by the words “I love you,” a cook-out, or a phone call if he is away from the children.
For those whose fathers are no longer living, they can be assured that their fathers remembered and cherished their love, honor, reverence, and respect far longer than they did the ties.
What children want from fathers
Whether children are believers or not, God has placed within each person's heart the truth that the father/husband should be the head of the household. Even though this destination and fathers' responsibilities many times can become troublesome and are skirted, God's truth still remains.
Fathers/husbands are the ones who will stand before God on behalf of their families and give an account of how well they fulfilled their responsibilities as leaders and heads of their homes. No one else can stand before God and represent their families. Therefore, within all people is placed the need for them to regard their fathers as leaders and household heads.
This being the case, children want and need the following from their fathers.
- The assurance that their fathers will never leave them, forsake them, neglect them, abandon them, despise them, resent them, or disown them. For fathers who never forget that, their children will always be their children.
- The assurance that their fathers will love them unconditionally, are proud of them regardless of success or failure, and will forgive their transgressions, failures, and disappointments and will express these things to them without hesitation.
- Fathers whom they can look up to, respect, be proud of; will never judge them unjustly, yet will discipline in love when needed; will lead by example rather than by words; and will place the family's happiness and welfare above their own.
- Fathers who will provide for their families, are faithful workers (not lazy), and are good stewards of their families' finances. Fathers who know and show by example that they are not slaves to money or possessions and that money cannot buy true happiness, love, and contentment. This will probably mean that fathers may have to say no to possessions on occasion, when good stewardship does not justify the purchase.
- Fathers who will honor and love the childrens' mothers, teach them, direct them, protect them, and not abuse them. The same would also hold true for their wives, if they are not the childrens' biological mothers.
- Fathers who are faithful to God, pray and serve God, seek God's will and direction, teach their children about God's love and salvation through Jesus Christ, and openly express their reliance on God's direction.
- Fathers who are faithful to their families.
- Fathers who are godly examples of strength and tenderness, compassion and discipline, leadership and discipleship, and peacefulness and justice.
- Fathers who know and understand that fatherhood is more than a biological function. It is about loving, caring, leading, guiding, teaching, providing, and sharing.
- Fathers they can emulate as role models.
The Word of God is very distinct on what God expects from fathers. God expects fathers to be:
- Heads of their households (Ephesians 5:22).
- Wise counselors who lead their children in righteousness (Genesis 18:19; Ephesians 6:1-3).
- Strong, reliable, and confident (Psalms 103:13; Matthew 7:12).
- Good providers (2 Thessalonians 3:10).
- Sure to make time for those they love and to pray for their children daily (Proverbs 22:6).
Jesus is our perfect example of a Son who loved and respected His Father, and God the Father is a perfect example of how fathers must love their children. As we pause and honor our fathers on this year's Father's Day, let every father ask, “What am I passing on to my children? Is God the Father my personal example?” and let every child ask, “What have I learned from my father? Can I proudly pass along his legacy to my children? Is Jesus my personal perfect example?” The responsibilities are great, but the legacy passed on by fathers will last for generations to come, long after they are gone.
Bản Dịch: Cha Của Chúng Tôi_bởi Crown Financial Ministries
