Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - June/84

Contributor - Henny Platteel

Title - Father's Day

Topic - Father's Day

"Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up In the discipline and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

Father's Day? Is Fathers Day really important? In a culture where single parent homes are on the increase, do we still need fathers? Even when there are two parents in a home, isn't it Mom who does the nurturing? Mom who does the changing, the feeding, the reading and weeding? Mom who takes Matthew to school, Genny to the doctor, Sarah to piano lessons and all of them to church? Mom who .... By now, some of you fathers are saying, "Hey, wait a minute, I do some of those things. I bathe, feed, change and read to my child. I participate in my children's life, in their upbringing and nurturing!" Praise God that there are men who do know what being a "father' is all about!

Nevertheless, many fathers are conspicuously absent or busy when their children need them. Too often we hear of fathers trying hard to get ahead financially; striving to get ahead professionally. But how much of that same fervor and passion goes into being a success as a father?

Fathers nurture children by and in everything they do, by their hugs or the lack of them, discussions at the table, the way they relate to their wives, how they settle problems, how they forgive, how they cherish and how they discipline. Children need to see their fathers head bowed in prayer, at meals, at bedtime, in the car and at the restaurant. Children need to see their fathers reading the Bible.

If fathers want their children to reflect Jesus Christ in their life style, they must set the pattern for them and be their role model. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

In a world where the role of fathers is often unclear, Christian fathers more than ever have a challenge before them an obligation to their children. This is perhaps the most important task of their "fathering' life.

So to answer the question, "Is Father's Day important?" You'd better believe it!

Prayer

Thank you Lord that You created fathers. Thank you that You gave them a worthwhile and important task Guide and help them as they mold young lives to honour and praise You. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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