Father’s and Mother’s day have always been a more difficult time for me to preach.  I’m not sure why?  I am fortunate to still have both of my parents, whom I love and I know that they love me.  I am fortunate too to have good memories of my childhood.   So why the difficulty?   Maybe its because not everyone still have their parents?  Maybe its because not everyone has good memories of their childhood.  Maybe because I know that not all have a good relationship with their parents?  Maybe its because not everyone is a father or mother and I feel this is a time that excludes them?  Maybe its because I feel I’ve fallen short as a father at times, not loved perfectly  - made my mistakes along the way?

Not sure exactly why the difficulty?  One thing I do know for sure though is that the God of the Bible is the perfect parent - our heavenly Father.  I know that He loves perfectly and makes no mistakes - no, not one.

I know that family is important to Him and that He designed and instituted the family structure. I know that we are to love one another “unconditionally” and that all lives matter to Him!  I know that He has instructed children to “obey their parents.”  I know that He has commanded us to “Honor our father and mother.”  I know that He has instructed fathers to raise their children “up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (cf. Ephesians 6: 1-4)   I know that we still love imperfectly but if we follow God’s instruction, and with His help, we can do better and be a better people for it - a people pleasing to God, which according to Solomon is the “conclusion of the whole matter!” (cf. Ecclesiastes 12: 13)

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named.” (Eph.3:14)

Happy Father’s Day!

Pastor Rodney