Fatherhood is a great gift bestowed upon all who are called to be not only biological fathers, adoptive fathers, but spiritual fathers as well. When I first learned the news that my wife was pregnant I was overjoyed with the prospect of being a dad. My wife and I chose the name, Abigail. Abigail translates to “my Father’s joy” in Hebrew. It was not so much our joy, but the sense that the joy of the God the Father had blessed us with a beautiful girl as a precious gift within our first year of marriage. While I may not be the most perfect father due to the ups & downs of life, it is that continual call to return to the guidance of our Heavenly Father that leads me on the right path in guiding Abigail.
As Psalm 139 reminds us, “You formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb.” Such a verse reminds us of the gift that God bestows upon all father figures. Such a verse also reminds us of a father’s role in their call to minister to all God’s children who are uniquely formed in God’s image. Earthly fathers are called to be a mirror of our Heavenly Father’s love to the world.
Here are some biblical takeaways for all the father figures:
Proverbs 22:6 “Train the young in the way they should go; even when old, they will not swerve from it.”
Ephesians 6:4 “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up with the training and instruction of the Lord.”
The return of the prodigal son…Luke 15:20 “So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.”
Father’s Day Blessing from the Book of Blessings :
God our Father, in your wisdom and love you made all things. Bless these men, that they may be strengthened as Christian fathers. Let the example of their faith and love shine forth. Grant that we, their sons and daughters, may honor them always with a spirit of profound respect.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
StreetEvangelist 