Happy FATHER'S Day

Here in the U.S., Sunday, June 21st, will not only mark the beginning of Summer, the longest day, or Summer Solstice, this year it is also Father’s Day! We are privileged to live in a time when such a notion is nationally observed, to ‘respect, admire, give tribute’ to our dads. But what of ABBA?

Our Lord gave us a clue in prayer, as it were, when HE said this: “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be honored.” [Matt 6:9] In this context you could add ‘privilege, distinction’ to respect, admiration and tribute.

The Lord, building kinship between the ‘father here and the Heavenly Father concept’ said this: “If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." [Luke 11:13]

What can we do as children for our Heavenly Father? The Bible is filled with gift ideas from of old that were offered to God so the concept of offering a gift to our Heavenly Father is surely not out of the question. What if you are stumped as to what you can give?

Here are some ideas:

• "Here is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is the duty of every person." [Ecc 12:13]
• "But the time is coming and is already here when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for anyone who will worship him that way." [John 4:23]
• "The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.'" [Mark 12:30]

By now, you have clear ideas on what gifts you can make to your Heavenly Father. You may say: “These are everyday things we should be doing!” Correct! We should, however being sinful we do not always do as we should. Just as in life, we do not always obey our ‘flesh and blood’ dad either. But, on Father’s Day, most of us make every effort to please him as we know he would be pleased. So, if we cannot remember daily what we should be doing, perhaps out of respect and admiration we should make every effort to DO what few things our Father requires of us as HIS family. Think about ‘passion and prayer’ -- what can that prayer be? To remember to try and do what is expected of us daily, with HIS help? And if we ask we know HE will answer.

“You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.” [Gal 4:6,7]

On Sunday, cry out “PAPA, FATHER” and honor, admire, respect HIM as your heart is so moved!

Contemplation: What can I do to HONOR my FATHER?