We are coming up to Fathers' Day and many millions of people will be taking their fathers out for a meal, getting a special cake, giving a Fathers' Day card and sharing a special gift with him. Not everyone has the privilege of having his or her dad close by. My father is a two to three-day drive from here, but he will still get a phone call and a greeting from me. Other fathers may no longer be living; this can mean a difficult Fathers' Day for many.
As we celebrate, we remember special times with our fathers. Maybe he put up a swing-set in the back yard or built a tree house. Perhaps it's the time he spent with us playing board games or just having some fun. My dad and mom both are musical, so us kids had the privilege of learning to play different instruments for which we are grateful. We may have gone on special trips with him, like for holidays or camping. Do you remember the time he showed you how to put the worm on the fishhook? Yuch! Or possibly he did it himself. He took time with us to show how we are loved. Not everyone has those good memories though, so Father's Day can be something they wish wasn't on the calendar.
One of the Ten Commandments that we find in the Bible says "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you" - Exodus 20:12 (NIV). When we celebrate on Father's Day, we are honouring our fathers with an annual event. This isn't just an annual command though. Christians are to honour our fathers every day of the year.
As children we learned to honour our parents by obeying the rules of the home. As adults we give them honour by listening to their advice and ideas; whether we decide to take it or not. Honour is giving respect to them because of the position they hold.
Those who don't have good memories of their fathers may have difficulty giving them respect, but it is possible. Think of your father as someone whom God gave this responsibility. It is a God-given position, whether they understand it or not. We may not agree with their actions, but what they do shouldn't be confused with who they are. Our fathers are God's creation, just like us. They are people who have done things wrong, just like us. God loved us so much that He sent His Son to this earth to show us how much. He allowed Jesus His only Son, who never did anything wrong, to be punished in our place. Jesus took your place and mine and our fathers. God loves our fathers too. He may not like their actions if they are contrary to God's ways. But He still loves them.
No matter how much we may or may not appreciate what our fathers may have done to us, we need to give them respect because of their God-given position; their place in the family. "Honour your father and your mother." This is a commandment with a promise. If we honour them, we will "live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you." Things will go well for us if we are giving them honour.
So as we celebrate Fathers' Day this year, know that you are giving him the respect that he is due. And remember to do so every day of the year.
Major Jacqueline Crites is the co-commanding officer and co-pastor of the Salvation Army's Thompson Corps at 305 Thompson Dr. N.
