WHY DOES FATHER’S DAY TAKE A BACK SEAT
Have you ever noticed that Father’s Day seems to take a back seat to a lot of Holidays? On Mother’s Day, there is usually a large celebration, but Father’s Day doesn’t get the same attention.
This past Mother’s Day, there was a brunch at the country club, so we went to it with some of our friends who had come to spend the weekend with us. We all got dressed up, and the brunch was over the top amazing. They had someone walk around making balloon animals for the children, they gave out roses to all the women, and there was a HUGE layout of food. I couldn’t wait to go back for Father’s Day since it was so incredible.
I waited for the newsletter to hit my email so that we could sign up for the Father’s Day event. The day finally came, and when I opened it, I was a tad disappointed. There wasn’t going to be a big brunch or balloon animals, instead, they were having a Father’s Day To Go BBQ. What??? You could get a to-go BBQ meal, or if you wanted, you could eat at the club. Where was the celebration?
Fathers are amazing, so this got me thinking about my own father, and what he means to me. He was my Protector when things were scary. When it would storm, I remember him driving home from work and loading us in a car to go drive around. At that time, we were living beside a large river, and he was afraid of flooding. I just remember us driving around in the car and going out to eat, so I wasn’t ever afraid of the storm or the fact that it might flood.
My father was also a great provider. He worked away from home through the week when I was young since the pay was much better. We never went without, or at least not that I knew, and I always thought we had everything we could want. My sister and I used to think we were princesses who lived on a hill. I remember going to the lake, riding trail bikes, riding on my pony, camping, and even playing volleyball on a court in our front yard. As I got older, he also built me two homes since he was a builder by trade.
My father was forgiving. I never remember him holding a grudge or staying mad at me for very long. In fact, since he worked away from home a lot, he was probably more lenient and didn’t want to come home just to discipline me. When I would get in trouble, my mom would sometimes throw out the threat, “you just wait until your father gets home. You are going to be in big trouble.” I would worry about what my dad would say when he got home, not because I was afraid of him, but because I didn’t want to disappoint him.
As much as I love my dad, all of these things and more can be applied to my Heavenly Father. He is my protector, my provider, He forgives me and shows me grace when I don’t deserve it.
Psalm 103:13
13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him;
Exodus 34:6
6 And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness,
The Lord is always with me, and a place of refuge from the storms of life.
Psalms 36:7
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.
1 John 3:1
3 See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
I am so grateful that I have been blessed with a wonderful earthly father. Today, and every day, I want to honor him.
Exodus 20:12
12 “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
Some of you weren’t as blessed to have a father like mine, or you might have already lost your father. You too can still celebrate Father’s Day since your Heavenly Father will never leave you, and will be by your side forever.
Psalms 139:1-24
1 You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain. 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. 13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with you. 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty! 20 They speak of you with evil intent; your adversaries misuse your name. 21 Do I not hate those who hate you, Lord, and abhor those who are in rebellion against you? 22 I have nothing but hatred for them; I count them my enemies. 23 Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Happy Father’s Day!
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Since I am retired now I got rid of my suits and business dresses and heels. I’ve taken my closet to a new level by following you and your tips. I am a bit over 50 but I like what you wear and say. And you love the LORD!!
I think some of it is that a lot of men don’t want a big fuss. They are happy with a meal & hanging out with friends & family. To them that’s a celebration.🙂
Beautiful message Tania. 💕
Thanks for another great Sunday post & loved the pic of your dad closely holding his first great grand baby.
It is interesting that the country club doesn’t have the same level of celebration for the dad’s. My husbands son doesn’t send his dad a card or any type of gift, which blows my mind, and irritates me. He knows that his dad has an incurable type of cancer, which he totally blocks out, and while he is doing well, things could change at the drop of a hat. Because his marriage is not good, his wife doesn’t take the lead to acknowledge Larry, and she may not even remind Rob to do something for his dad. Just because we are 3 hrs apart, that should not stop him. My earthly father has been dead 36 years. I am very thankful for everything my Heavenly Father does for me!
Maybe you shouldn’t let the country club determine how you choose to celebrate.
Elizabeth, the country club doesn’t determine how I celebrate, that was just an example of how differently the two days are viewed.
I love what you said about being “afraid” of your father, for it wasn’t really fear but afraid of disappointing him. That was so eloquently said. I was the same with my father and very similar parental styles (the generation). Love your Sunday messages, thanks and have a wonderful day.
I was never afraid of my dad, but I did seek his approval, so I hated to think of him as being disappointed.
I look forward to your messages every Sunday. This one was wonderful! You are blessed, my friend.
Thanks, Becky! I’m glad you enjoy these posts.