A Fathers’ Day is celebrated all over the world, though there are many interesting variations in the selection of date. In Taiwan the organizers of the day selected August 8^th because the sound for 8 is “ba” and selecting the eighth day of the eighth month gives you “ba ba.” In Thailand it is celebrated on December 5^th because that is the birthday of their king, and in Belgium it is combined with St Joseph’s day. The idea of a celebration in June arose from a daughter’s desire to honor her father who raised six children on his own after becoming a widower in the post Civil War era.

The desire to honor fathers is found world-wide, and predates the commercialization of the day. Many of the suggestions for guiding children in their eagerness to do something special for their dads center on making a special card, or constructing some project to please him. In recent times, however, hardware, clothing, and other stores have helpfully suggested buying dad an electric drill, a shirt, or some other gift. But what do we really want our children to do?

On Father’s Day it is good to remember that Fatherhood originated in God and provides the basis for leadership of the family (Ephesians 3:14-15). It is fathers who are expected to give their children spiritual instruction and guidance (Deuteronomy 6:7; Ephesians 6:4). In saying this, however, we must not forget examples of the powerful influence of mothers on leaders in both Old and New Testament times. Think of Hannah, the mother of Samuel the High Priest; of Eunice and Lois the mother and grandmother of Timothy the evangelist (1 Samuel 1:1-28; 2 Timothy 1:5).

Fathers are given the tremendous responsibility of bringing their children up in the “discipline and instruction of the Lord.” This means that fathers are required to discipline their children so as to help them learn self-control, and to give them the spiritual instruction which will equip them to serve the Lord. All of this is to be done without constant nagging, and without exasperating them so they lose heart (Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21). Children, for their part, are charged with obeying and honoring their parents—commands that are given in both the Old and the New Testament.

On this day—Fathers’ Day 2005—we’ll undoubtedly see fathers resplendent in new shirts and ties and learn from them of other gifts they’ll get to play with after church. It’s good to remember, however, the most important thing of all on this day, and that is the gift fathers have given their children of stable and god-fearing homes where they are nurtured physically, emotionally, socially, and most important of all—spiritually. We salute fathers on this day, and ask that God’s blessings continue to be showered on them.

Mel