DIRECT THEM AFTER YOU
JUNE
“I have chosen him so that he will direct his children and his family after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right. ….” (Genesis 18:19, GW)
Sonora Smart Dodd, daughter of American Civil War veteran, William Smart, was credited to be the founder of Father’s Day. When Sonora was sixteen, her mother died during childbirth of her sixth child. With the help of her daughter Sonora, William singlehandedly raised his six children. How easy would such venture be? Your guess may be as good as mine.
In 1909, Sonora heard a sermon about Anna Jarvis’ Mother’s Day at her church. She was inspired by the sermon. Having a good understanding of the sacrifice made by her own father to raise six children, she thought, ”if mothers deserve great honour, fathers don’t deserve less.” So, Sonora proposed to have Father’s Day every June 5, being her father birthday. But it was subsequently moved to the third Sunday in June. This was first held on Sunday, the 19th of June 1910.
So, for those who have fathers or father figures in their lives, give them the great honour they deserve. They may not be perfect, but it is not an accident they are there.
To the fathers, more than any accolade you may receive from anyone, you’re not a father by accident. God intended it! How many fathers today would not throw in the towel when the circumstances warrant them to be single parents of six? Even with the mother or mother figure in the lives of your children, can you be called a father indeed? Yes, you work round the clock to provide for the needs of your children, but if you stumble in your character, you are already a failure.
As God said about Abraham, He is saying about you, too, that He purposely chose you so that you will direct your children and your family after you.
A day as this is not just for accepting gifts, it is also a day to reflect on what we have done, and what we need to do better. May God empower fathers to stand in their rightful position. And may they not fail God. For the prospective fathers, may God answer your prayers and cause your joy to be full in Jesus’ Name. AMEN!
HAPPY FATHERS DAY
Experiencing the TRUE GOD.
