Father’s Day – it’s more than a day!
‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him’ (Luke 15:20b NIV-UK)
Everyone has a father. Maybe your father was loving and was there for you and so brings feelings of security and warmth. Maybe your father was absent, physically or mentally, and so feelings of anxiety and grief come to mind when you think of your father. Whether you had a wonderful biological father or not, there may have been a father-figure in your life who guided you, cared for you and gave you security. As we celebrate Father’s Day, let us also remember the many men (not necessarily fathers) who make an impact on people’s lives through what they do and who they are.
Think of some of the men in your life: your father, grandfather, brother, son, neighbour, pastor, good friend or teacher/mentor. So many of these men have shaped lives just through being who they are, and we celebrate you! For some, not all these examples of men bring warm feelings, and Father’s Day brings memories of pain and neglect, but let us navigate through this and discover the ‘Father figures’ who have been present in your life. For these people we thank and praise a Heavenly Father who understands our feelings and thoughts.
In Luke 15 in the Bible, we have a story about the complicated relationships between a father and his sons. There is a wayward son who comes to the realisation that being in the presence of his father and asking for forgiveness is better than the circumstances he is in. He journeys home to ask for forgiveness and his loving father, who was watching for him, and he ran out to meet him with love. There is the other son who feels jealousy and anger for the father showing love to the other when he has always been there for the father. Our feelings are complicated but know that there is our Father God who will always be there for us in all our pain and circumstances to welcome us with open arms.
May your Father’s Day be filled with love and blessings!
Lutheran Tract Mission has many resources to help you celebrate Father’s Day. There are many men in our lives who have made an impact on us. Look on the LTM website www.ltm.org.au and find a tract that you can give to the men in your life and thank them for their presence.
Have a look at the LTM website: www.ltm.org.au
and search – Father’s Day: Resources | Lutheran Tract Mission (LTM)
In Christ,
Anne Hansen
Tracts
- 70277 – Happy Fathers Day
- 70580 – God is your strength
- 50836 – May your Day be blessed
- 50816 – You are a Blessing (Lego)
- 70457 – Thank you for everything
- 50792 – You’re so Special
- 70318 – A Father’s World
