A Father’s Love
Sonora Louise Smart Dodd is not a household name. But she was the 16-year-old American girl who in 1909 petitioned for the celebration of Father’s Day in North America. On the passing of her mom, Senora’s dad was left to care for six young children. After listening to a Mother’s Day sermon the 16-year-old thought a similar celebration should be observed for dads too.
She marshalled the support of two churches initially and spent her life lobbying for a national observance of Father’s Day. Sixty-two years later, US president Richard Nixon signed Joint Resolution 187 and made Father’s Day a federal holiday in the US.
In many countries, Father’s Day is celebrated on the 3rd Sunday in June close to Sonora’s dad’s birthday. In other parts of the world, the celebration is recognized in March or April following another tradition that originated in the Catholic Church in the Middle Ages.
In a child’s mind, “father” ideally embodies security, protection and provision. Fathers ground us and give us stability. When we know we have father’s approval and backing, we feel almost indomitable. Just like the little girl who assured her friends trapped in the rubble of their school after a devastating earthquake, that her dad will save them. That morning he had promised her “I’ll pick you up later.” She held to that belief and sure enough he came to their rescue.
We all have a father we can trust. Our heavenly Father. He has promised:
“I will never leave your nor forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5; Deuteronomy 31: 6,8)
“I will not leave you as orphans. (John 14:18)
“I will be a father to the fatherless.” (Psalm 68:5-6)
“Nothing shall ever be able to separate you from my love…” (Romans 8:38-39)
These are but a few of His promises to all who love Him.
“If your earthly father knows how to give good gifts,” Matthew 7:11 says, “how much more your heavenly father.”
This is why we pray to Him in thanksgiving or distress as Jesus taught us:
“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen” (Matthew 6:9-13)
Everything that could possibly concern us, is covered in this prayer to Our Father. It’s a prayer of submission to the perfect care, protection and providence of a Father we can trust completely. He is all-mighty, not lacking in power. He is all-knowing, nothing surprises him. He is always present. “Nothing” He says, “shall ever be able to separate us from His love.”
“Oh what love the Father has bestowed on us that we should be called His children.”
Will you allow Him to be your Abba Father daily?
“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons [heirs] of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship by whom we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16
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CHAYIL glory is the all-powerful, great glory of God manifested in and through his believers in the earth. The CHAYIL GLORY blog is published every Monday with insights to understand and apply God’s perspective to everyday life.
