What Is a Father? A Father’s Day Tribute

What is a father? Whether our fathers were absent or present, we all share memories of what our father is/was like. This is my Father’s Day Tribute. Will you share yours? Happy Father’s Day!

A Tribute to My Father

By Rebecca Barlow Jordan

He’s a giant of a man, with big, strong hands

that hold your heart in his own.

The words he speaks are apples of gold

that can melt a heart of stone.

His laugh is contagious; his smile sincere;

His life is a book read far and near.

His love gives generous helpings to all;

For a father, you see, is always on call.

His thoughts are old-fashioned, and sometimes his clothes;

But godliness clothes him from his head to his toes.

He has numerous flaws, which he often speaks of,

but his family is blind and covers in love.

Long after he’s gone, a sweet legacy stays

filling the hearts of his family with praise.

Memories of a Father

My father died 20 years ago. I still miss him. But his words and his lessons still live on in my heart. Each of the few personal letters he wrote ended with a P.S. – a powerful statement. Sometimes he penned an encouraging truth from Scripture, sometimes a homespun bit of wisdom he learned, sandwiched in between the mortar he used building missions, and the lives he salvaged for Christ along the way. I treasure those bits and pieces of a father’s love and keep them close where I can pull them out in times of discouragement or frustration.  He was not perfect–no earthly fathers are. But God blessed me with a great dad.

God Is the Perfect Father

Some of you can’t recall positive father figures, because of abuse or loss of your dad early in your life.Most of our dads did the best they could do with what they had. Many of them had hurts too deep to express, pain which may have affected their “performance” as fathers. Maybe they had a strong, Christian heritage, but maybe not.  Regardless of your (or their) circumstances, God assures us He is “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5, NIV). He not only heals our memories; He is the perfect father who never breaks His promise, who loves us unconditionally, and who delights in spending time with His children.

God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3, NLT).

 

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father” (Galatians 4:6, NLT).

 

* Note: Because Father’s Day is Sunday, I am posting this blog a little early. I posted it a few years ago, and many of you shared memories of your father then. I’ve decided to post it each Father’s Day, not just as a tribute to my own father, but for fathers everywhere. I hope more of you will add to the comments today.

It’s Your Turn: Share a Memory about Your Father

What about you? Would you share a memory about your dad? What made him special? How has God been a father to you? Please share your comments below.

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