2009-06-19 - Fathers
John 15:13 - Greater love hath no man than this, that
a man lay down his life for his friends.
Of course Jesus was referring to his own life that he gave upon the cross
for us when he made this statement but this verse speaks of any who willingly
give up their own life for others. This verse is often used on occasions
like Memorial Day to honor those who have in courageously given their life
up for their country or at funerals of people who have selflessly given their
own lives to save the lives of others in a tragic event. But what about those
who do not give their lives up in one single act of courage but instead give
up their lives daily for others? Who makes the greater sacrifice - the soldier
that dies for his country or the father who lays aside his own dreams and
aspirations to raise the soldier? Recorded elsewhere in the gospels Jesus
repeatedly talks of daily taking up the cross, daily denying self for others.
(Luke 9:23 - And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. Also see Matthew
10:38, Matthew 16:24, Mark 8:34, and Mark 10:21)
What about the dads who day after day go to work rather than the golf course?
What about the dads who give up time with their children they love to put
food on the table? What about the dad who sits in the floor with his children
playing Chutes and Ladders for three hours rather than working on his pet
project down in the basement? Fathers make sacrifices everyday that often
go overlooked.
My own father worked at a job he didn't usually like so three ungrateful
boys could have better opportunities than he had. My dad could have probably
done a lot of things faster in the woodshop and in the garage if he hadn't
had so much help but his sacrifice of time taught us important values and
skills we can still use today. And we thanked him by rolling our eyes at
him when he asked us to do something and by trying to get the last word in
on any subject.
One man's daughter recognized the sacrifice of her father while listening
to a Mother's day sermon in 1909. She had been raised by her father as her
mother had died at an early age giving birth to a younger sibling. Mr. Smart
had given of himself selflessly raising all six children and no day yet
recognized his efforts so grown and married Ms. Dodd set about establishing
a day to honor Father's with the first Father's day being observed in Spokane
Washington on June 19, 1910. This testament to a father's sacrifice eventually
became a national holiday. How sad that it is that many fathers aren't more
sacrificial. Tonight, 4 out 10 children will be tucked in bed at a home without
their biological father. These children are five times more likely to live
in poverty, repeat a grade, and have emotional problems than those with a
father in their lives.
The statistics prove time and time again that sacrificial fathers make a
difference. I once read that a dad is a man who has pictures where money
once was .That summed it up for me. Any male can be a father but it takes
a sacrificial heart to be a dad. Abba, our heavenly father showed his love
through the sacrificial offering of His one and only son. What an example
we have to follow - men rise up to the challenge and be the fathers your
children need. Be the husbands your wife needs. Be the followers Christ
challenges us to be.
If your father has sacrificially given of himself, tell him thanks today
and appreciate his efforts year round.
IHFHBOH
Adam
acdum@hotmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
All scripture references from KJV unless otherwise noted |