Fathers Touch of Love

Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

 I Corinthians 16: 13-14 NIV

Fathers, did you get that perfect gift yesterday for Father’s Day? If not, there is always Christmas. This gift may not be for you, but if you are the father of young children, it would be an answer to prayer. I am not sure if or when it will ever be released in the United States, but Chinese carmaker Seres has been granted a patent for the long-awaited “in-vehicle toilet”. This amazing invention slides under a passenger’s seat for those much-needed stops on long road trips. How many times have you just passed an exit when you hear the magic words, “I need to go to the bathroom,” and the next exit is 20 miles down the road?

The patent filing on April 10 stated, “the feature is meant to satisfy users’ needs on long journeys, while camping, or while staying in the car. The loo will come with a fan and exhaust pipe to channel odors out of the car…Waste is collected in a tank that has to be emptied manually.” (Osmond Chia)

Globally, Father’s Day is celebrated in many nations, all with the same purpose of honoring fathers. In the United States, the UK, and South Africa, among others, it is observed on the third Sunday in June. The idea of celebrating fathers came from two young ladies in the early 1900’s, Grace Golden Clayton and Sonora Smart Dodd. West Virginian Clayton proposed the idea in 1908, and though many felt her idea worthy, it was rejected. On the opposite side of the nation, Dodd convinced the Spokane, Washington Ministerial Alliance to celebrate Father’s Day the following year. The idea was accepted and gained support over the next several decades. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that it became officially recognized.

President Lyndon B. Johnson designated the third Sunday of June that year in a proclamation as Father’s Day. In his proclamation, he stated, “In the homes of our Nation, we look to the fathers to provide the strength and stability which characterize the successful family…If the father’s responsibilities are many, his rewards are also great-the love, appreciation, and respect of children and spouse.”  Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a law officially making Father’s Day a permanent national holiday.

Father’s Day may be officially celebrated on one day of the calendar, but hopefully, fathers, just like mothers, are celebrated the other 364 days, since their roles are not limited to one day of the year.

Fathers come in all shapes, colors, abilities, temperaments, and fashion senses, yet they all share one common thread—their children. Whether their role as fathers came about through natural birth, adoption, fostering, or unique care status for children, they are fathers. Fathers know best some days and completely blow it the next. Yet a wise father who seeks to guide his children in God’s ways will unveil the true secrets of life. “Listen, my sons (and daughters), to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching…Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.” (Proverbs 4:1-2,5 NIV).

Fathers know it is not an easy job. It never has been, nor will it ever be. Dwight Moody was not talking only to dads, but the message was encouraging. “Let God have your life; he can do more with it than you can.” The Bible does not have a special category for “Best Dad of the Year,” but we can find some noteworthy examples. One great example is Joseph.

Joseph’s role as father did not come through the normal channels. He was given a very unique role. Joseph was looking forward to a long, ordinary life with his fiancée, Mary. Plans were coming together for the marriage, for setting up a new home, for dreaming of children, and for starting his carpentry business. Then came the extraordinary assignment that changed the course of their comfortable, preconceived plans. God asked Joseph to fulfill a critical purpose in the Messiah’s birth, as caretaker of Mary and the baby.

“Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 1:18). Needless to say, Joseph’s perfect world was turned upside down. He cared deeply for Mary and didn’t have the heart to publicly disgrace her, so he decided to divorce her quietly.

An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream, reassuring him that Mary had willingly agreed to the plan. Now, would he have the courage to say yes? “Carry the cross patiently, and with perfect submission; and in the end it shall carry you.” (Thomas a Kempis)

 “When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25) Joseph did not know what lay ahead, but he said yes. He would protect Mary and Jesus from a tyrannical ruler, take his family as refugees to a foreign country, resettle them in a new home, teach Jesus to be a carpenter, and serve as a mentor and teacher.

“The characteristic of a disciple is not that he does good things, but that he is good in motive because he has been made good by the supernatural grace of God. The only thing that exceeds right-doing is right-being. Jesus Christ came to put into any man who would let him a new heredity which would exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Jesus says—If you are my disciple, you must be right not only in your living, but in your motives, in your dreams, in the recesses of your mind.” Oswald Chambers

Little is said about Joseph after the first few years. Scholars can only speculate; we can only offer opinions, but what we do know is that he faithfully did his job as God asked him to. His obedience changed both history and eternity. Whatever or however the role of father came to you, do it in a way that prepares the next generation to follow Jesus.

God is great!

Monday morning devotion to offer encouragement, hope, and purpose for Jesus’ followers