Ephesians 6:2 Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)

Our life begins with the union of a man and a woman, our earthly Father and Mother. Our earthly father figure we most come to know as Daddy. I was privileged to have a wonderful Daddy for the first forty eight years of my life. When my Daddy passed away, it was a very heart-breaking, sad day. He is no longer there for me to visit on Father's Day, but I thank the Lord that I was privileged to be able to "know" him all that time. I have those memories from the days spent with my Daddy to last me a lifetime. Not all are so well-blessed.

Do you want to make your Daddy's eyes light up with joy on this Father's Day? "What can I get" is usually the first thing that comes to our mind on special days such as this. But I would venture to say, from experience, a gift is not always what a parent looks for from a child. They want your love, a visit or maybe a phone call if you aren't where you can be there on that special day. I remember how my Daddy always smiled when we entered the house and saw him sitting in the Den in his favorite chair. He loved to see the grandchildren/great grandchildren come in and run into his arms. Sure he loved those cards and gifts, but he would demonstrate that the love shown to him meant so much more. Why not take time out this Father's Day to call your Daddy or go to see him and put a sparkle in his eyes? You will be glad you did in years to come when Daddy is no longer there in your presence.

We also have a heavenly Father who is there regardless of whether we have our natural father in our lives or not. He will never leave nor forsake us in our need.

Psalm 68:5 A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, [is] God in his holy habitation.

Every child wants a Daddy he or she can look up to, maybe set on his lap, share the day with him and just know he will be there when we need him. For those not so blessed, there is a Father that is always there for us, never judges us, and loves us more than anyone.

Psalm 36:7 How excellent [is] thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings .

Psalm 61:4 I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings . Selah.

Matthew 15:26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Remember, that regardless of our age, to our parents, we are always their "child". To God, we mean so much he had his only begotten Son lay down his life for us.

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my [ sheep ], and am known of mine. 15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep .

 

Copyright 2004 by Barbara Sanders, Empire, AL. Used by permission.
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