The Father’s Love: A Celebration of Father’s Day
Father’s Day was on the 15th of June, and all over the world, children and wives paused to celebrate the dads in their lives. Social media was filled with pictures of smiling dads, families, as well as heartfelt tributes. But for many, the day brought mixed emotions
Some people celebrated joyfully, grateful for present fathers and loving dads, while others sat quietly with the memories of dads that had passed on, hearts filled with both gratitude and sadness. And then there was us, the ones that never had a dad to celebrate – those of us whom Father’s Day is just another Sunday in June, and a reminder of an absence that shaped our lives.
Growing up without a father wasn’t easy, not because I lacked food or a roof over my hand, no. But because I always had an awareness that I did not have a dad as a saw friends from school having their dads pick them up from school, come to school concerts, sports, etc. It created in me a longing that never quite went away. Father’s Day never felt like a day of celebration.
But in the past few years I decided to do Father’s Day differently. I chose to honour the only father I have truly known: The Lord God, my Father in Heaven, the Sovereign God
In a world that often overlooks Him and forgets to celebrate Him on Father’s Day, I became more intentional about spending the day with Him. He is our father, Abba, and He loves me and you deeply. The Bible reminds us of this fact in John 3:16 (NIV): “For God so loved the world he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
This verse does not speak of a distant, indifferent God. It speaks of a present and sacrificial Father – the one Who’s love for us is so deep and so pure that He gave Himself, so that we might live (if that’s not the textbook definition of a dad, I don’t know what is). This is the Father I choose to celebrate yearly.
His love is not based on performances, it is not transactional, not limited by time or our shortcomings. He is the kind of father who is never too busy, never too harsh, and never too far. Psalm 68:5 (NKJV) calls Him “A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in His holy habitation.”
It is such a comfort to know that even if earthly father’s fail, our Heavenly Father never will. He is filled with great love for us, His voice gentle, and His arms always open. The Bible tells us that even the angel’s marvel at this affection for us. Psalm 8:4 (NIV) puts it: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” So, this month, whether you had a dad to celebrate or not, remember the One who’s always been there from the beginning till now. Let your heart rest in the arms of Abba, your true Father.
You are deeply loved :)
