To be honest, I’m not a great fan of Father’s Day. First off it’s one of those Hallmark holidays, created by the greeting card companies to sell more cards.
Further, when I was a young father, it always seemed to me that on Mother’s Day the preacher would honor all the great moms and on Father’s Day he would lecture all the less-than-perfect dads. Maybe I was too sensitive.
But it must be said that in 2011, Fatherhood as an institution is not in great shape. According to the U. S. Census Bureau there are approximately 13.7 million single parents in the United States today who are raising approximately 26% of the children and 84% of those are women. So there are fewer fathers today than ever before. Many of the fathers who are physically present or emotionally absent.
Plus our image of fathers is more negative than ever before. Consider for a moment and try to think of a single television or movie father who is portrayed positively. Even those who are old enough to remember Father Knows Best, will remember that the title was a bit tongue in cheek. Mom ran that household not Father. Father didn’t know best; he didn’t know much. It is the rare American family that has a strong man as it’s head. Women run families. Whether that’s because that’s the way they like it or because they are filling in for guys who are not stepping up, the result is the same.
I think all of this is a very successful attack of Satan. By negatively portraying fathers, it is difficult for us to understand just how wonderful or Heavenly Father is. If “father” doesn’t bring up positive images, then how can we describe the wonder of our Father above?
So in light of all this how should we “celebrate” Fathers Day? Well forget the card that proclaims you father, “World’s Greatest Dad.” It’s a lie and he knows it. My suggestion is to pray for and thank God for you father, if he’s around. And if he in any small way by his life makes it easier for you to appreciate your heavenly Father then thank him for that.
And thank God that He is there to fill in for all the ways we as earthly fathers fall short. I guess I’ve turned out to be like that preacher that used to irritate me, lecturing the dads on Fathers Day. Ain’t it weird how things work out.
Happy Fathers Day.
Nick
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