As I share some insights for the month of June, I am reminded of the Apostles’ Creed – “I believe in God the Father Almighty….” which has a pattern, a message and a model for us. June is a special month, particularly the third Sunday when we wish fathers “Happy Father’s Day!” Having lost my dear father due to a massive heart attack when I was a little girl, I hardly have any cherished memories of him other than what my mom and siblings have shared about him. However, one thing I do believe and have experienced and continue to experience is that God is my earthly and heavenly Father. I renew my faith in God by constantly claiming the everlasting promises that are stored in the Scriptures. Perhaps, there are some who have had similar experiences, and maybe there are some who have had sad and bitter memories of their fathers. Whatever our experiences are, Scripture assures us, “As a father has compassion for his children, so the Lord has compassion for those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:13).

Rev. Richard J Fairchild has written a gentle reminder for Father’s Day describing how the image of Dad changes over the years. He writes: “When I was 4 years old: My daddy can do anything; 5 years – My daddy knows a whole lot; 6 years – My dad is smarter than your dad; 8 years – My dad doesn’t know exactly everything; 10 years old – In the olden days when my dad grew up things sure were different; 12 years – Oh well. Dad doesn’t know anything about that. He’s too old to remember his childhood; 14 years – Don’t pay any attention to my dad, he’s so old-fashioned; 21 years – Him? My dad is so hopelessly out of date; 25 years old – Dad knows a little bit about it, but then he should –he’s been around so long; 30 years – Maybe I should ask dad what he thinks. After all, he’s had a lot of experience; 35 years – I’m not going to do a thing about it until I talk to dad; 40 years – I wonder how dad would have handled it! He was so wise and had a world of experience; 50 years old – I’d give anything if dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. I could have learned a lot from him.”

Perhaps, this is how we feel about our relationship with our Heavenly Father. How about those promises that our parents made when we were baptized? Remember those vows made during Confirmation and becoming a full member of the church? What about those sacred marriage vows taken in the presence of God and loved ones? Too often in our hectic lives, we tend to forget the preciousness, the provision, and the pardon that we receive from our Heavenly Father. We sing hymns and songs such as “Faith of Our Father Living Still,” and “Father, I Adore You” without realizing their profound meaning and worth.

It is my hope and prayer that each of us will celebrate Father’s Day in a sincere and most thoughtful way. For as much as we want to honor and respect our earthly fathers, in a deeper sense, we are to please God in a way that will bring honor and glory to God’s name that we bear. And of course, Jesus is God’s Father’s Day gift for us. Not only dads, but each of us should ponder in His Word and follow the sacrificial life of God who sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life, and let the light shine so that all may see and give glory to our Father in heaven. Let us celebrate Father’s Day not just on the third Sunday in June but each day of our lives. Have a most blessed and Happy Father’s Day. Thanks be to God!

Grace and Peace,
Felicia Kumar