Celebrating Fathers
My blog today is dedicated to all the wonderful fathers, father figures, and male mentors who have touched the lives of your own children and others who you’ve mentored and coached. We appreciate you! And, for the rest of us, let’s be sure to celebrate our fathers in words and actions.
Father’s Day brings precious memories and so much gratitude — for my own sweet daddy, my father-in-law who took me in as one of his own, and my precious husband. They are celebrating this Father’s Day with the Father of all fathers in heaven! They’ve certainly one-upped us on a grand celebration with the second-to-none Father.
And Happy Father’s Day to my two incredible sons: Ryan Wuerch & Larry Wallace, amazing fathers who lead their families by God’s example to them. Thanks, and well-done, guys, for blessing me with my beautiful grandchildren and thank you for all the men and boys you coach and mentor!
Dads, in my opinion, you are the most powerful force in the lives of your children. Thank you for not being passive. Thank you for understanding and taking responsibility for your power and your example of a good father. Thank you for being living examples of our Heavenly Father’s love. Thank you for having real-life conversations with your boys and having date nights with your girls. Thank you for showing them and others what respect, honor, and integrity look like.
Maybe today, you don’t even know your earthly father, or if you do, he may not have been very present in your life. Maybe, like me, your dad was with you for just a short period of time. Like mine, your dad wasn’t there to walk you down the aisle on your wedding day. Maybe your dad is still here and your relationship is and always has been strained.
One of my all-time favorite songs for today’s celebration is by Phillips, Craig, and Dean, “I Want to Be Just Like You” – a prayer from a dad who wants to do his best to be like Father God, exuding our great God’s patience, kindness, and love because his little boy wants to be like his dad.”. These words touch my heart so much. Following these lyrics is the link for this beautiful song. I pray you are so impressed by God’s love, that you, too, want to be just like Him.
“He climbs in my lap for a goodnight hug; He calls me Dad and I call him Bub, With his faded old pillow, a bear named Pooh, He snuggles up close and says, “I want to be like you.”
I tuck him in bed and I kiss him goodnight; trippin’ over the toys as I turn out the light; I whisper a prayer that someday he’ll see. He’s got a Father in God ’cause he’s seen Jesus in me.
Lord, I want to be just like You; ‘Cause he wants to be just like me,
I want to be a holy example, for his innocent eyes to see.
Help me be a living Bible, Lord, that my little boy can read.
I want to be just like You; ‘Cause he wants to be like me.”
Here’s the good news for all of us on this Father’s Day. We have a Heavenly Father Who loves us so much and wants us in His family. When we invite His Son into our lives, we get God’s DNA. It cannot be denied. We have a Father who is gracious, open and wants to know us. When we reach out, He welcomes us into His presence. He even has conversations with us through his Word and even in our intimate times with Him.
On this Father’s Day, no matter who your earthly father may be, I ask these simple questions: Do you know your Heavenly Father? Do you understand how much He wants to have a close and ongoing relationship with you? I pray that you will have a greater realization of your “heavenly” DNA. Knock on His door. I know He will invite you in for a Father’s Day celebration like none other.