The Stature of the Father, The Spirit of the Child
June 15, 2008
This day of honor had its genesis in the heart of Mrs. John B. Dodd, a woman who witnessed the selfless sacrifice of her father, Civil War veteran William Smart, as he raised six children alone after his wife died in childbirth. As a result of her efforts, several father celebrations were held in the Spokane, Washington area beginning in 1909, and President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea of a national Father’s Day in 1924. Finally, in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the third Sunday in June as Father’s Day. As we review this history, please notice something: Father’s Day did not begin in the heart of the father; it began in the heart of the child. Mrs. Dodd obviously saw something in the life of her Dad that impacted her deeply. We can only imagine what she saw, but her experience can probably be equated with the sentiments Paul expressed to the church at Thessalonica. He wrote, “You are witnesses, and God also, how devoutly and justly and blamelessly we behaved ourselves among you who believe; as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (1 Thess. 2:10-12). Do you see it, friend? Paul, as a spiritual parent, cared for the people of Thessalonica. He provided them with comfort, instruction, direction, and love. In turn, the Christians there developed a deep and abiding respect for the apostle. They looked up to him. You might say that the stature of Paul as father was directly related to the spirit of respect and holiness he cultivated in the Thessalonians’ hearts. Dads, let’s do everything we can to cultivate that same spirit in our children. Take care, and happy Father’s Day! -JLNJR
